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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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☒ |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025
OR
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☐ |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-33672
PALISADE BIO, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
52-2007292 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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1902 Wright Place, Suite 200
Carlsbad, California1
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92008 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
(858) 704-4900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class |
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Trading
Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value |
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PALI |
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Nasdaq Capital Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer |
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☐ |
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Accelerated filer |
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☐ |
Non-accelerated filer |
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☒ |
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Smaller reporting company |
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☒ |
Emerging growth company |
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☐ |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of November 5, 2025, there were 149,003,210 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.
1The Company does not currently maintain a physical headquarters but maintains a mailing address at 1902 Wright Place, Suite 200, Carlsbad, California, 92008.
Palisade Bio, Inc.
Table of Contents
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Palisade Bio, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
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September 30, |
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December 31, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
5,227 |
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$ |
9,821 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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1,601 |
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673 |
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Total current assets |
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6,828 |
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10,494 |
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Restricted cash |
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26 |
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26 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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— |
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3 |
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Operating lease right-of-use asset |
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— |
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84 |
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Other noncurrent assets |
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119 |
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273 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
6,973 |
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$ |
10,880 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
1,426 |
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$ |
1,105 |
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Accrued liabilities |
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1,220 |
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1,240 |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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621 |
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722 |
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Current portion of operating lease liability |
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— |
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90 |
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Insurance financing debt |
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211 |
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79 |
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Total current liabilities |
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3,478 |
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3,236 |
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Warrant liability |
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— |
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2 |
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Other noncurrent liabilities |
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283 |
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150 |
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Total liabilities |
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3,761 |
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3,388 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) |
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Stockholders' equity: |
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Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 7,000,000 shares authorized; 200,000 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 |
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2 |
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2 |
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Common stock, $0.01 par value; 280,000,000 shares authorized; 9,119,152 and 2,768,646 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively |
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91 |
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27 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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146,945 |
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143,407 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(143,826 |
) |
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(135,944 |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
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3,212 |
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7,492 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
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$ |
6,973 |
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$ |
10,880 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Palisade Bio, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended September 30, |
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Nine Months Ended September 30, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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$ |
1,394 |
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$ |
2,137 |
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$ |
4,019 |
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$ |
6,979 |
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General and administrative |
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1,528 |
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1,456 |
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4,056 |
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4,498 |
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Total operating expenses |
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2,922 |
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3,593 |
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8,075 |
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11,477 |
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Loss from operations |
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(2,922 |
) |
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(3,593 |
) |
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(8,075 |
) |
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(11,477 |
) |
Other (expense) income: |
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Interest expense |
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(5 |
) |
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(6 |
) |
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(8 |
) |
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(9 |
) |
Other income, net |
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59 |
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112 |
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|
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201 |
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392 |
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Total other income, net |
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54 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
383 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(2,868 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,487 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,882 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,094 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share |
|
|
7,473,898 |
|
|
|
1,500,409 |
|
|
|
5,702,050 |
|
|
|
1,168,277 |
|
Basic and diluted net loss per common share |
|
$ |
(0.38 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.32 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.38 |
) |
|
$ |
(9.50 |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Palisade Bio, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 |
|
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
|
Total Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2025 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
4,800,247 |
|
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
$ |
143,528 |
|
|
$ |
(140,958 |
) |
|
$ |
2,620 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,868 |
) |
|
|
(2,868 |
) |
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Issuance of common stock in connection with July 2025 Warrant Inducement, net of issuance costs of $9,330 (Note 5) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,318,905 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
3,370 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,413 |
|
Balance, September 30, 2025 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
9,119,152 |
|
|
$ |
91 |
|
|
$ |
146,945 |
|
|
$ |
(143,826 |
) |
|
$ |
3,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
|
Total Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2024 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
966,345 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
139,051 |
|
|
$ |
(129,113 |
) |
|
$ |
9,949 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,487 |
) |
|
|
(3,487 |
) |
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
95 |
|
Issuance of common stock to vendors |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
51 |
|
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of warrants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
218,142 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Balance, September 30, 2024 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
1,198,516 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
139,195 |
|
|
$ |
(132,600 |
) |
|
$ |
6,608 |
|
Palisade Bio, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 |
|
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
|
Total Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2024 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
2,768,646 |
|
|
$ |
27 |
|
|
$ |
143,407 |
|
|
$ |
(135,944 |
) |
|
$ |
7,492 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(7,882 |
) |
|
|
(7,882 |
) |
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
185 |
|
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of warrants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,027,000 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,601 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Issuance of common stock in connection with July 2025 Warrant Inducement, net of issuance costs of $9,330 (Note 5) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,318,905 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
3,370 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,413 |
|
Balance, September 30, 2025 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
9,119,152 |
|
|
$ |
91 |
|
|
$ |
146,945 |
|
|
$ |
(143,826 |
) |
|
$ |
3,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Additional Paid-in Capital* |
|
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
|
Total Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares* |
|
|
Amount* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2023 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
618,056 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
132,811 |
|
|
$ |
(121,506 |
) |
|
$ |
11,313 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(11,094 |
) |
|
|
(11,094 |
) |
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
575 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
575 |
|
Issuance of common stock to vendors |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
29,632 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
124 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
124 |
|
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units, net of employee withholding tax liability |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,270 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of warrants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
218,142 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Issuance of common stock in connection under Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,256 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Issuance of common stock in connection with February 2024 Warrant Inducement, net of issuance costs of $2,412 (Note 5) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
228,162 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2,158 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,160 |
|
Issuance of common stock and warrants in May 2024 Offering, net of issuance costs of $705 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
85,100 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3,543 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,544 |
|
Reverse stock split fractional share settlement |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(102 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Balance, September 30, 2024 |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
1,198,516 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
139,195 |
|
|
$ |
(132,600 |
) |
|
$ |
6,608 |
|
(*) Adjusted to reflect the 1-for-15 reverse stock split effected on April 5, 2024.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Palisade Bio, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,882 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,094 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Non-cash operating lease expense |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
Recurring fair value measurements of liabilities |
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
(159 |
) |
Issuance of common stock to vendors |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
124 |
|
Write-off of deferred equity issuance costs |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Stock-based compensation and related charges |
|
|
228 |
|
|
|
575 |
|
Other |
|
|
(61 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid and other current assets and other noncurrent assets |
|
|
(537 |
) |
|
|
542 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
255 |
|
|
|
526 |
|
Accrued compensation and benefits |
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
|
(329 |
) |
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
(90 |
) |
|
|
(89 |
) |
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(7,703 |
) |
|
|
(9,812 |
) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments on insurance financing debt |
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
(270 |
) |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
Proceeds from the exercise of warrants |
|
|
3,909 |
|
|
|
2,503 |
|
Payment of warrant inducement issuance costs |
|
|
(445 |
) |
|
|
(343 |
) |
Payment of equity issuance costs |
|
|
(178 |
) |
|
|
(456 |
) |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Shares withheld for payment of employee withholding tax liability |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
3,109 |
|
|
|
5,420 |
|
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
(4,594 |
) |
|
|
(4,392 |
) |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year |
|
|
9,847 |
|
|
|
12,458 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period |
|
$ |
5,253 |
|
|
$ |
8,066 |
|
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the balance sheets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
5,227 |
|
|
$ |
8,040 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
$ |
5,253 |
|
|
$ |
8,066 |
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrant inducement issuance costs included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Fair value of warrants issued to solicitation agent in warrant inducements (Note 5) |
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
Fair value of warrants issued to placement agent |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
249 |
|
Deferred equity issuance costs recognized as a reduction in additional paid-in capital from financing activities |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
37 |
|
Insurance financing debt included in prepaid and other current assets and other noncurrent assets |
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
347 |
|
Incremental fair value of modified warrants (Note 5) |
|
|
8,602 |
|
|
|
1,975 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
PALISADE BIO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Organization, Business and Financial Condition
As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, “Palisade,” “Palisade Bio,” the "Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” or similar designations in this report refer to Palisade Bio, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and its subsidiaries. Any reference to “common shares” or “common stock,” refers to the Company's $0.01 par value common stock. Any reference to “Series A Preferred Stock” refers to the Company's Series A 4.5% Convertible Preferred Stock. Any reference herein that refers to preclinical studies also refers to nonclinical studies.
Description of Business
The Company is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and advancing novel therapeutics for patients living with autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases. The Company's lead product candidate, PALI-2108, is being developed as a treatment for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and fibrostenotic Crohn's disease ("FSCD").
Liquidity and Going Concern
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has a limited operating history, and the sales and income potential of the Company’s business and market are unproven. The Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations since its inception. The Company expects to continue to incur net losses in the foreseeable future. The successful transition to achieving profitability is dependent upon achieving a level of revenues adequate to support the Company’s costs. There can be no assurances that such profitability will ever be achieved. To fund its operations, the Company has historically relied on primarily equity financings.
On October 2, 2025, the Company closed on an equity offering for gross proceeds to the Company of $138 million, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses (see Note 11, Subsequent Events), which as of the date that these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued has significantly increased the Company's available working capital and its ability to fund its operations into the foreseeable future. Although the Company still anticipates incurring net operating losses and negative cash flows from operations into the foreseeable future, considered in the aggregate, management has concluded that because of the gross proceeds raised from the recent equity offering in the amount of $138 million there is no longer a substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year following the date that these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.
2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
In management’s opinion, the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the full year. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules and regulations prescribed by the United States ("U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when these condensed consolidated financial statements are read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s financial statements filed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2025.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Leading Biosciences, Inc. (“LBS”) and Suzhou Neuralstem Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. All the entities are consolidated in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and all intercompany activity and transactions, if any, have been eliminated.
Reverse Stock Splits
On April 5, 2024, the Company effected a 1-for-15 reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding common stock (the "Reverse Stock Split"). As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, each of the Company’s stockholders received one share of common stock for every 15 shares such stockholder held immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split affected all the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock equally. The par value and authorized shares of the Company's common stock were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split also affected the Company’s outstanding stock-based awards, common stock warrants, and other exercisable or convertible securities and resulted in the shares underlying such instruments being reduced and the exercise price or conversion price being increased proportionately. Unless otherwise noted, all common stock shares, common stock per share data and shares of common stock underlying convertible preferred stock, stock-based awards and common stock warrants included in these condensed consolidated financial statements, including the exercise price or conversion price of such equity instruments, as applicable, have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented.
On October 17, 2025, the stockholders of the Company approved a proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect another reverse stock split. The proposal authorizes but does not require the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock at a reverse stock split ratio of not less than 1-for-5 and not greater than 1-for-50, with the exact ratio to be set within that range at the discretion of the Board, without further approval or authorization of the Company’s stockholders, and to be effected on or before December 31, 2025. The Company’s Board has not yet effected this reverse stock split authorized by the stockholders of the Company.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to accrued research and development expenses and its contingent consideration obligation. Although these estimates are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may materially differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Significant Accounting Policies
The Company’s significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 are consistent with those discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2025.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company’s comprehensive loss was the same as its reported net loss for all periods presented.
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
No new accounting pronouncements issued or adopted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 that had or are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
Recently Enacted Tax Legislation
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was enacted in the United States ("U.S") on July 4, 2025. The OBBBA legislation provides for the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, revisions to the international tax framework and the reinstatement of favorable tax treatment for certain business provisions. Additionally, the OBBBA restores the current deduction for domestic research and experimentation ("R&E") expenses under Section 174. For businesses that have previously capitalized domestic R&E expenses for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021, taxpayers can recognize the unamortized balance as deductions either in the first tax year beginning after December 31, 2024 or ratably over a two-year period beginning after December 31, 2024.
Foreign R&E expenses must still be capitalized and amortized. The legislation has multiple effective dates, with certain provisions effective in 2025 and others implemented in future periods. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance against its U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. As such, it does not anticipate the OBBBA will have a material impact on its income tax provision in the near term.
3. Balance Sheet Details
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Prepaid insurance |
|
$ |
445 |
|
|
$ |
384 |
|
Other receivables |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
Prepaid research and development |
|
|
354 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Prepaid subscriptions and fees |
|
|
137 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
Prepaid software licenses |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
Deposits |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Deferred equity issuance costs |
|
|
622 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
Prepaid other |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,601 |
|
|
$ |
673 |
|
Deferred equity issuance costs consist of the legal, accounting and other direct and incremental costs incurred by the Company related to its equity offerings, if not yet finalized as of the balance sheet date, or shelf registration statement. These costs will be netted against additional paid-in capital as a cost of the future equity issuances to which they relate. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company netted previously deferred equity issuance costs of approximately $37,000 against the additional paid-in capital recognized in conjunction with the warrant inducement transaction that closed on February 1, 2024 (see Note 5, Stockholders' Equity). There were no previously deferred equity issuance costs netted against additional paid-in capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2025. In the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company expensed approximately $75,000 of previously deferred equity issuance costs associated with its shelf registration statement that expired in April of 2025 in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2025, the entire balance of deferred equity issuance costs consists of legal, accounting and other direct and incremental costs directly attributable to the underwritten offering of the Company's equity securities that closed on October 2, 2025 (see Note 11, Subsequent Events).
Accrued liabilities consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Accrued accounts payable |
|
$ |
126 |
|
|
$ |
109 |
|
Accrued clinical trial expenses |
|
|
489 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accrued chemistry, manufacturing and controls ("CMC") expenses |
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
Accrued director stipends |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
Accrued joint development expenses (Note 7) |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
223 |
|
Current portion of contingent consideration obligation (Note 4) |
|
|
235 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accrued other |
|
|
202 |
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,220 |
|
|
$ |
1,240 |
|
4. Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, other current receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, insurance financing debt, and contingent consideration obligation. The carrying amounts of financial instruments such as restricted cash, other current receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate their relative fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s insurance financing debt approximates its fair value as of both September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 due to the market rate of interest, which is based on a level 2 input. The Company’s contingent consideration obligation is carried at fair value based on level 3 inputs. None of the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company invests its excess cash in money market funds that are classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy, due to their short-term maturity of three months or less, and measured the fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The fair value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents invested in money market funds was $5.1 million and $9.8 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions and in money market accounts, and at times balances may exceed federally insured limits. Management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits and historically the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Contingent Consideration Obligation
On September 1, 2023, the Company and Giiant Pharma, Inc. ("Giiant") entered into a research collaboration and license agreement, as amended (“Giiant License Agreement”)(See Note 7, Collaborations and License Agreements). Pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, the Company incurred a contingent consideration obligation related to future milestone payments. The Company has an obligation to make contingent consideration payments to Giiant, in either cash or shares of the Company’s common stock solely at the Company’s election, upon the achievement of development milestones (as set forth in the Giiant License Agreement). Because the contingent consideration associated with the milestone payments may be settled in shares of the Company's common stock solely at the election of the Company, the Company has determined it should be accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity ("ASC 480"), and accordingly has recognized it as a liability measured at its estimated fair value.
At the end of each reporting period, the Company re-measures the contingent consideration obligation to its estimated fair value and any resulting change is recognized in research and development expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the contingent consideration obligation is determined using a probability-based model that estimates the likelihood of success in achieving each of the defined milestones that is then discounted to present value using the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in fair value measurement accounting hierarchy. The significant assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value as of September 30, 2025 included a discount rate of 11.4% and management's updated projections of the likelihood of success in achieving each of the defined milestones based on empirical, published industry data.
The following table summarizes the activity of the Company's Level 3 contingent consideration obligation, which is measured at its fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
Contingent Consideration Obligation |
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Fair value at beginning of period |
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
$ |
209 |
|
|
$ |
150 |
|
|
$ |
204 |
|
Change in fair value during the period |
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
325 |
|
|
|
(159 |
) |
Fair value at end of period |
|
$ |
475 |
|
|
$ |
45 |
|
|
$ |
475 |
|
|
$ |
45 |
|
As of September 30, 2025, approximately $235,000 of the contingent consideration obligation was recognized in accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. On October 16, 2025, the first of the Giiant Milestones Payments (see Note 7, Collaborations and License Agreements, for further details) was achieved with the dosing of the first patient in the Company's Phase 1b clinical trial of PALI-2108 in a FSCD cohort.
Pursuant to the terms of the Giiant License Agreement, the Company will settle this Giiant Milestone Payment in cash in the amount of $235,000 within 30 days of the date the milestone was met. The remaining amount of the contingent consideration liability of approximately $240,000 was recognized as a noncurrent liability in Other noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, the entire amount of the contingent consideration obligation of approximately $150,000 was classified as a noncurrent liability in Other noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as none of it was expected to be settled within one-year of the balance sheet date.
5. Stockholders’ Equity
Classes of Stock
Common Stock
As of September 30, 2025, the Company was authorized to issue 280,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value common stock. Each share of common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.
On April 5, 2024, the Company effected a 1-for-15 reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding common stock (the "Reverse Stock Split"). Accordingly, each of the Company’s stockholders received one share of the Company's common stock for every 15 shares of the Company's common stock that such stockholder held immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split affected all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock equally. The Reverse Stock Split also affected the Company’s outstanding stock-based awards, warrants and other exercisable or convertible securities and resulted in the shares underlying such instruments being reduced and the exercise price or conversion price being increased proportionately by the Reverse Stock Split ratio. No fractional shares were issued as a result of the Reverse Stock Split with any fractional shares that would have otherwise resulted from the Reverse Stock Split paid in cash, at an amount equal to the resulting fractional interest in one share of the Company's common stock that the stockholder would otherwise be entitled, multiplied by the closing trading price of the Company's common stock on April 5, 2024. The amount of cash paid for fractional shares was immaterial to the Company's financial statements.
As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, on April 5, 2024 the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock was adjusted from 12,771,015 shares to 851,302 shares.
Preferred Stock
As of September 30, 2025, the Company was authorized to issue 7,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock of which 1,000,000 shares have been designated as Series A 4.5% Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Convertible Preferred Stock"), of which 200,000 are issued and outstanding and are convertible into an aggregate of 8 shares of the Company's common stock.
Recent Equity Offerings
October 2025 Offering
On October 2, 2025, the Company completed an underwritten offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock for gross proceeds of $138.0 million (refer to Note 11, Subsequent Events, for further details).
December 2024 Offering
On December 13, 2024, the Company completed an underwritten offering of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock, and common warrants to purchase common stock (the "December 2024 Offering"). Gross cash proceeds from the December 2024 Offering were $5.0 million and net cash proceeds were approximately $4.1 million after deducting cash equity issuance costs of approximately $0.9 million.
May 2024 Offering
On May 6, 2024, the Company completed a private placement of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock, and warrants to purchase common stock (the "May 2024 Offering"). Gross cash proceeds from the May 2024 Offering were $4.0 million and net cash proceeds were approximately $3.5 million after deducting cash equity issuance costs of approximately $0.5 million.
Common Stock Warrants and Warrant Exercises
July 2025 Warrant Inducement
On July 23, 2025, the Company entered into a warrant inducement agreement (the “July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement”) with an accredited and institutional holder (the “July 2025 Warrant Holder”) of certain of the Company’s outstanding common stock warrants originally issued on May 10, 2022, which were transferred to the July 2025 Warrant Holder in January 2022 (the “January 2022 Warrants”), February 1, 2024 (the “February 2024 Warrants”), May 6, 2024 (the “May 2024 Warrants”), December 13, 2024 (the “December 2024 Warrants”), (collectively, the “July 2025 Existing Warrants”) to exercise the July 2025 Existing Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,318,905 shares of the Company's common stock. Pursuant to the July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement, the exercise price of each July 2025 Existing Warrant exercised was reduced from $1.40 per share to $0.9047 per share. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the July 2025 Existing Warrants, the July 2025 Warrant Holder received new unregistered warrants (the “July 2025 Replacement Warrants”) to purchase shares of common stock in a private placement. Pursuant to the July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement, the July 2025 Warrant Holder received two July 2025 Replacement Warrants for each July 2025 Existing Warrant exercised. The July 2025 Replacement Warrants are exercisable into an aggregate of up to 8,637,810 shares of common stock beginning on the effective date of stockholder approval of the issuance of common stock shares underlying the July 2025 Replacement Warrants (the “Warrant Stockholder Approval”), at an exercise price of $0.9047 per share, and a term of exercise equal to five years from the date of Warrant Stockholder Approval (the transaction in its entirety, the "July 2025 Warrant Inducement Transaction"). The shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the July 2025 Replacement Warrants have subsequently been registered by the Company.
Pursuant to the terms of the July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement, the Company was required to hold an annual or special meeting of stockholders no later than sixty days from July 23, 2025, for the purpose of obtaining Warrant Stockholder Approval, as required by the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. If the Company does not obtain Warrant Stockholder Approval at the first meeting, the Company shall call a meeting every sixty days thereafter to seek Warrant Stockholder Approval until the earlier of the date on which Warrant Stockholder Approval is obtained or the July 2025 Replacement Warrants are no longer outstanding. The Company convened a special meeting to obtain Warrant Stockholder Approval on September 18, 2025, which was then adjourned until September 26, 2025, and then adjourned until October 10, 2025. The Special Meeting was adjourned on September 18, 2025 and September 26, 2025 by the Company, without conducting any business because the Company did not have a sufficient number of shares of its common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting to constitute a quorum. On October 9, 2025, the Company cancelled the special meeting and withdrew from consideration by the Company’s stockholders the proposals set forth in the definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2025. The Company expects to convene the next special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of obtaining Warrant Stockholder Approval on December 3, 2025. Accordingly, the July 2025 Replacement Warrants are not yet exercisable.
The July 2025 Warrant Holder exercised an aggregate of 4,318,905 July 2025 Existing Warrants consisting of: (i) 3,000 January 2022 Warrants, (ii) 114,354 February 2024 Warrants, (iii) 922,863 May 2024 Warrants, and (iv) 3,278,688 December 2024 Warrants. As a result of the exercises of the July 2025 Existing Warrants, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,318,905 shares of its common stock and 8,637,810 July 2025 Replacement Warrants. The July 2025 Warrant Inducement closed on July 25, 2025 with the Company receiving net cash proceeds of approximately $3.4 million consisting of gross cash proceeds of $3.9 million, less cash equity issuance costs of approximately $0.5 million.
The July 2025 Warrant Inducement Transaction, which resulted in the lowering of the exercise price of the July 2025 Existing Warrants and the issuance of the July 2025 Replacement Warrants, is considered a modification of the July 2025 Existing Warrants under the guidance of ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity ("ASC 815-40"). The modification is consistent with the Equity Issuance classification under that guidance as the reason for the modification was to induce the holders of the July 2025 Existing Warrants to cash exercise their July 2025 Existing Warrants, resulting in the imminent exercise of the July 2025 Existing Warrants, which raised equity capital and generated gross cash proceeds for the Company of approximately $3.9 million. As pursuant to the guidance of ASC 480 and ASC 815-40 the July 2025 Existing Warrants and were classified as equity instruments before and after the modification, and as the modification is directly attributable to an equity offering, the Company recognized the effect of the modification of approximately $8.6 million as an equity issuance cost netted against the additional paid-in capital recognized from the associated warrant exercises. The amount of the equity issuance cost recognized for the warrant modification was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the incremental fair value of the modified July 2025 Existing Warrants and additional July 2025 Replacement Warrants issued as compared to the fair value of the original July 2025 Existing Warrants immediately prior to their modification.
The solicitation agent fees associated with the July 2025 Warrant Inducement consisted of: (i) a cash fee equal to 9% of the gross proceeds received by the Company, (ii) a common stock warrant to purchase such number of shares of common stock equal to 6% of the aggregate number of shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the July 2025 Existing Warrants, or a total of 259,134 common stock warrants, with an exercise price of $1.49 per share, and a term of five years from issuance (the "July 2025 Solicitation Agent Warrants"), and (iii) $75,000 of out-of-pocket expenses. The fair value of the July 2025 Solicitation Agent Warrants was recognized by the Company as an equity issuance cost, which reduced the additional paid-in capital recognized from the issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of the July 2025 Existing Warrants.
Total equity issuance costs recognized in the July 2025 Warrant Inducement of $9.3 million include cash equity issuance costs of $0.5 million, non-cash warrant modification costs of approximately $8.6 million, and non-cash issuance costs associated with the July 2025 Solicitation Agent Warrants of $0.2 million.
February 2024 Warrant Inducement
On January 30, 2024, the Company entered into warrant inducement agreements (the “February 2024 Warrant Inducement Agreements”) with certain accredited and institutional holders (collectively, the “February 2024 Warrant Holders”) of certain of the Company’s remaining outstanding common stock warrants issued on May 10, 2022 (the "May 2022 Warrants"), January 4, 2023 (the “January 2023 Warrants”), and April 5, 2023 (the “April 2023 Warrants”), as well as certain outstanding Series 2 warrants issued on August 16, 2022 (the "Series 2 Warrants") (collectively, the “February 2024 Existing Warrant(s)”). Pursuant to the February 2024 Warrant Inducement Agreements, the exercise price of each of the February 2024 Existing Warrants exercised was reduced to $10.97 per share. Each of the February 2024 Warrant Holders that exercised its February 2024 Existing Warrants pursuant to the February 2024 Warrant Inducement Agreements, received one replacement warrant to purchase one share of the Company's common stock (the “February 2024 Replacement Warrants”) for each February 2024 Existing Warrant exercised (in its entirety, the "February 2024 Warrant Inducement").
The February 2024 Replacement Warrants were exercisable immediately, have an original exercise price per share of $10.97, and expire five years from the date of issuance, which was February 1, 2024.
The February 2024 Warrant Holders collectively exercised an aggregate of 228,162 February 2024 Existing Warrants consisting of: (i) 4,865 May 2022 Warrants, (ii) 4,267 Series 2 Warrants, (iii) 67,511 January 2023 Warrants, and (iv) 151,519 April 2023 Warrants. As a result of the exercises of the February 2024 Existing Warrants, the Company issued an aggregate of 228,162 shares of its common stock and 228,162 February 2024 Replacement Warrants. The February 2024 Warrant Inducement closed on February 1, 2024 with the Company receiving net cash proceeds of approximately $2.2 million consisting of gross cash proceeds of $2.5 million, less cash equity issuance costs of approximately $0.3 million.
The February 2024 Warrant Inducement, which resulted in the lowering of the exercise price of the Existing Warrants and the issuance of the Replacement Warrants, is considered a modification of the Existing Warrants under the guidance of ASC 815-40. The modification is consistent with the Equity Issuance classification under that guidance as the reason for the modification was to induce the holders of the February 2024 Existing Warrants to cash exercise their February 2024 Existing Warrants, resulting in the imminent exercise of the February 2024 Existing Warrants, which raised equity capital and generated gross cash proceeds for the Company of approximately $2.5 million. As pursuant to the guidance of ASC 480 and ASC 815-40 the February 2024 Existing Warrants and February 2024 Replacement Warrants were classified as equity instruments before and after the modification, and as the modification is directly attributable to an equity offering, the Company recognized the effect of the modification of approximately $2.0 million as an equity issuance cost netted against the additional paid-in capital recognized from the associated warrant exercises. The amount of the equity issuance cost recognized for the warrant modification was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the incremental fair value of the modified February 2024 Existing Warrants and additional February 2024 Replacement Warrants issued as compared to the fair value of the original February 2024 Existing Warrants immediately prior to their modification.
The solicitation agent fees associated with the February 2024 Warrant Inducement consisted of: (i) a cash fee equal to 7.75% of the gross proceeds received by the Company, (ii) a common stock warrant to purchase such number of shares of common stock equal to 6% of the aggregate number shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the February 2024 Existing Warrants, or a total of 13,690 common stock warrants, with an exercise price of $10.97 per share, and a term of five years from issuance (the "February 2024 Solicitation Agent Warrants"), and (iii) $35,000 of out-of-pocket expenses. The fair value of the February 2024 Solicitation Agent Warrants was recognized by the Company as an equity issuance cost, which reduced the additional paid-in capital recognized from the issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of the February 2024 Existing Warrants.
Total equity issuance costs recognized in the February 2024 Warrant Inducement of $2.4 million include cash equity issuance costs of $0.3 million, non-cash warrant modification costs of approximately $2.0 million, and non-cash issuance costs associated with the February 2024 Solicitation Agent Warrants of $0.1 million.
Common Stock Warrants Outstanding and Warrant Activity
The Company accounts for the majority of its warrants as equity-classified in accordance with ASC 480 and ASC 815-40. The Company’s outstanding common stock warrants that are classified as equity warrants are included as a component of stockholders' equity based on their relative fair value on their date of issuance. Common stock warrants accounted for as liabilities in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance are included in noncurrent liabilities.
The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding and exercisable common stock warrants as of September 30, 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock Warrants |
|
Classification |
|
Number of Warrants Outstanding |
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
|
|
July 2025 Warrant Inducement Replacement Common Stock Warrants |
|
Equity-classified |
|
|
8,637,810 |
|
|
$ |
0.9047 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
(1) |
February 2024 Warrant Inducement Replacement Common Stock Warrants |
|
Equity-classified |
|
|
113,804 |
|
|
|
10.97 |
|
|
|
3.34 |
|
|
Series 2 Common Stock Warrants |
|
Equity-classified |
|
|
6,748 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
Bridge and January 2022 Common Stock Warrants |
|
Liability-classified |
|
|
2,612 |
|
|
|
2,804.69 |
|
|
|
0.87 |
|
|
Placement Agent, Solicitor and Representative Common Stock Warrants |
|
Equity-classified |
|
|
533,827 |
|
|
|
6.38 |
|
|
|
4.35 |
|
|
All Other Common Stock Warrants |
|
Equity-classified |
|
|
776 |
|
|
|
11,614.97 |
|
|
|
1.70 |
|
|
Total Warrants Outstanding, September 30, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
9,295,577 |
|
|
|
3.09 |
|
|
|
4.94 |
|
(1) |
(1) The July 2025 Replacement Warrants have a term of exercise equal to five-years from the date of Warrant Stockholder Approval. The Company expects to convene the next special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of obtaining Warrant Stockholder Approval on December 3, 2025. Accordingly, the July 2025 Replacement Warrants are not yet exercisable, and the full five-year term has been included in the weighted-average remaining contractual life.
Of the outstanding common stock warrants, only the Series 2 Common Stock Warrants include a down round feature whereby they are subject to price reset provisions in the event future sales of the Company's securities are sold at a price per share less than the exercise price of such warrants.
The following table summarizes warrant activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Warrants |
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) |
|
|
Warrants outstanding, December 31, 2024 |
|
|
6,745,213 |
|
|
$ |
4.53 |
|
|
|
5.16 |
|
(1) |
Granted |
|
|
8,896,944 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(6,345,905 |
) |
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited, expired or cancelled |
|
|
(675 |
) |
|
|
5,863.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants outstanding, September 30, 2025 |
|
|
9,295,577 |
|
|
|
3.09 |
|
|
|
4.94 |
|
(2) |
(1) The pre-funded common stock warrants that were outstanding as of December 31, 2024 have a perpetual term and were therefore excluded from the calculation of the weighted-average remaining contractual life.
(2) The July 2025 Replacement Warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2025 have a term of exercise equal to five-years from the date of Warrant Stockholder Approval. The Company expects to convene the next special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of obtaining Warrant Stockholder Approval on December 3, 2025. Accordingly, the July 2025 Replacement Warrants are not yet exercisable and the full five-year term has been included in the weighted-average remaining contractual life.
6. Equity Incentive Plans
Equity Incentive Plans
The Company’s stock-based compensation generally includes service-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock options, and market-based performance RSUs (“PSUs”).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company granted 116,600 stock options at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $1.00 per stock option, and the Company granted 89,400 RSUs at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $1.13 per RSU. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted 12,300 stock options at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.80 per option. The Company granted no RSUs during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company offers its employees an opportunity to participate in its shareholder approved Palisade Bio, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). All employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP while employed by the Company. The ESPP permits eligible employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions, which may not exceed $25,000 in a calendar year, or 5,000 shares of the Company's shares of common stock each offering period, as defined in the ESPP, at a price equal to 85% of the fair value of the Company's common stock at the beginning or end of the offering period, whichever is lower. The ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Compensation expense associated with the ESPP was approximately $5,000 and $26,000 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, and approximately $3,000 and $12,000 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively
Share-Based Compensation Expense
The allocation of stock-based compensation for the Company's equity-based awards is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development expense |
|
$ |
45 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
239 |
|
General and administrative expense |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
324 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
85 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
202 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
To reduce the ongoing administrative burden and expense associated with the quarterly vesting of the Company's time-based RSUs, in the second quarter of 2024, the Company's compensation committee of the Board approved the immediate accelerated vesting of all unvested time-based RSUs issued to employees that were outstanding as of that date. The accelerated vesting was accounted for as a Type III modification under ASC 718 and accordingly, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense associated with the time-based RSUs subject to immediate vesting of approximately $129,000 in general and administrative expenses and approximately $125,000 in research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
As of September 30, 2025, the unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options was approximately $0.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.63 years, and the unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding RSUs and PSUs was approximately $0.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.37 years.
7. Collaborations and License Agreements
Research Collaboration and License Agreement with Giiant
On September 1, 2023, the Company entered into the Giiant License Agreement whereby the Company received an exclusive, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense in multiple tiers) to develop, manufacture, and commercialize substantially all of the assets of Giiant, including: (i) the PALI-2108 compound, and (ii) the PALI-1908 compound and the associated intellectual property around each of the foregoing (the “Giiant Licensed Assets”). The Giiant License Agreement has a perpetual term.
Pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, the Company and Giiant established a joint development committee (“JDC”), consisting of one Giiant appointee and two Company appointees. The JDC is responsible for: (i) overseeing the day-to-day development of the Giiant Licensed Assets through Proof of Concept (as defined below), and (ii) the creation and implementation of the development plan and development budget for the Giiant Licensed Assets (the “Giiant Development Plan”) and any amendments or updates thereto.
Prior to receiving regulatory approval to commence a Phase 1 clinical trial (as such term is defined in the Giiant License Agreement) (the “Proof of Concept”), each of the Company and Giiant was solely responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by such party for the joint development of the Giiant Licensed Assets, except as set forth in the Giiant Development Plan. Prior to reaching the Proof of Concept, the Company reimbursed or advanced Giiant up to an amount in the low seven-digit range for costs and expenses incurred by them. Upon reaching the Proof of Concept, which occurred in October of 2024, the Company became solely responsible for all costs and expenses incurred for the development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercialization of the Giiant Licensed Assets. The Company records expense payments from Giiant, if any, as a reduction to research and development expense once the expense payments are realized or realizable, which is when Company receives the cash or has an undisputed claim to the cash that is probable of collection, pursuant to the terms of the Giiant License.
Expense payments made by the Company to Giiant pursuant to the terms of the Giiant License Agreement for qualifying development costs under the joint development plan are expensed only as the associated research and development costs are incurred or other aspects of the drug development or related activities are achieved. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized an insignificant amount of expenses related to the joint development plan. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized expenses of approximately $0.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to the joint development plan. In instances where the expense determined to be recognized exceeds the payments made to the Giiant, the Company recognizes an accrual of joint development expenses. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company accrued joint development expenses of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in Accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company records expense payments from Giiant, if any, as a reduction to research and development expense once the expense payments are realized or realizable, which is when the Company receives the cash or has an undisputed claim to the cash that is probable of collection, pursuant to the terms of the Giiant License Agreement and the principles of ASC 450, Gain Contingencies. There were no expense payments from Giiant recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized a reduction in net research and development expenses of approximately $0.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which consisted primarily of funds received by the Company from Giiant pursuant to the joint development plan.
Both the expenses recognized and any reduction in expenses recognized are included in research and development expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, as amended, the Company will (i) make certain payments between the low six-digit range and low seven-digit range upon the achievement of the development milestones (as set forth in the Giiant License Agreement), in either cash or shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election (“Giiant Milestone Payments”), and (ii) pay ongoing royalty payments of a mid-single-digit percentage of the adjusted gross proceeds, as defined in the Giiant License Agreement, upon the sales or sublicenses of any products developed from the Giiant Licensed Assets to third parties (“Giiant Royalty Payments”) (collectively, the Giiant Milestone Payments and the Giiant Royalty Payments are referred to as the “Giiant License Payments”). The Giiant License Payments are subject to a maximum payment cap in the very low eight-digit range, which will be increased or decreased on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on a formula related to the aggregate of development costs incurred by the parties (“Payment Cap”). The Company has determined that the contingent consideration associated with the royalty payments should be recognized as a liability when they are probable and estimable, in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. As of September 30, 2025, the Company determined that the first of the development milestones pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, as amended, was probable of achievement and accrued the full amount of the first Giiant Milestone Payment, or $235,000, in Accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The milestone was later achieved on October 16, 2025 with the dosing of the first patient in the Company's Phase 1b clinical trial of PALI-2108 in a FSCD cohort. The Company will settle this Giiant Milestone Payment in cash in the amount of $235,000 within 30 days of the date the milestone was met. There have been no other Giiant Milestone Payments made pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, as amended.
The Company may unilaterally terminate the Giiant License Agreement for: (i) convenience, or (ii) a material breach by Giiant, that is not cured within the applicable notice period.
Giiant may unilaterally terminate the Giiant License Agreement only for a material breach by Company that is not cured within the applicable notice period provided however that upon the Payment Cap being achieved, that right will terminate and the Giiant License Agreement will become perpetual.
Co-Development and Distribution Agreement with Newsoara
Prior to the completion of its merger with Seneca Biopharma, Inc. ("Seneca") on April 27, 2021 (the "Merger"), LBS entered into a co-development and distribution agreement with Newsoara, a joint venture established with Biolead Medical Technology Limited, as amended, (the “Newsoara Co-Development Agreement”). Pursuant to the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement (and subsequent assignment agreement), LBS granted or licensed Newsoara an exclusive right under certain patents to develop, use, sell, offer to sell, import, and otherwise commercialize licensed products (the “Newsoara Licensed Products”) for any and all indications in the People’s Republic of China, including the regions of Hong Kong and Macao, but excluding Taiwan (the “Territory”). The Newsoara Licensed Products only include the drug asset referred to as LB1148. The right includes the right to grant sublicenses to third parties, subject to LBS’ written consent, provided that both parties agreed that Newsoara would be permitted to use a certain partner for development purposes. The Newsoara Co-Development Agreement obligates Newsoara to initially use LBS as the exclusive supplier for all Newsoara’s requirements for Newsoara Licensed Products in the Territory. During the term of the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement, Newsoara may request to manufacture the Newsoara Licensed Products in the Territory, subject to satisfying certain conditions to LBS' reasonable satisfaction. LBS is obligated to approve Newsoara manufacturing rights without undue refusal or delay. The Company records the expense reimbursements from Newsoara for any research and development or manufacturing activities it performs under the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement as a reduction to research and development expenses once the reimbursement amount is approved for payment by Newsoara.
In consideration of the rights granted to Newsoara under the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement, Newsoara paid LBS a one-time upfront fee of $1.0 million. In addition, Newsoara is obligated to make (i) payments of up to $6.75 million in the aggregate upon achievement of certain regulatory and commercial milestones, (ii) payments in the low six-digit range per licensed product upon achievement of a regulatory milestone, and (iii) tiered royalty payments ranging from the mid-single-digit to low-double-digit percentage range on annual net sales of Licensed Products, subject to adjustment to the royalty percentage in certain events, including a change of control, the expiration of certain patents rights, and royalties paid by Newsoara third parties. To date, Newsoara has met all of its payment obligations under the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized no license revenue from Newsoara under the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement.
The Newsoara Co-Development Agreement will expire upon the expiration date of the last valid claim of any licensed patent covering the Newsoara Licensed Products in the Territory. In addition, the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement can be terminated (i) by either party for the other party’s material breach that remains uncured for a specified time period after written notice or for events related to the other party’s insolvency, (ii) by LBS if Newsoara challenges or attempts to interfere with any licensed patent rights and, (iii) by Newsoara for any reason upon specified prior written notice.
License Agreements with the Regents of the University of California
The Company has entered into three license agreements, as amended, with the Regents of the University of California (“Regents”) for exclusive commercial rights to certain patents, technology and know-how related to LB1148. Concurrent with the Company's decision to terminate the development of LB1148, on October 20, 2023 the Company terminated two of its license agreements with Regents. As of September 30, 2025, the only license agreement remaining with Regents is that entered into with LBS in August of 2015, as amended in December of 2019 and September of 2022 (the “2015 UC License”). The 2015 UC License was retained for the sole purpose of maintaining the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement under which the Company may receive future milestone or royalty payments through the term of the license. Accordingly, pursuant to the 2015 UC License, the Company is obligated to pay a percentage of non-royalty licensing revenue it receives from Newsoara under the Newsoara Co-Development Agreement to Regents ranging from 30 percent to 35 percent of one-third of the upfront payment and milestone payments received from Newsoara. During three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized no sublicense fees or license maintenance fees due to Regents. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized no sublicense fees and license maintenance fees of approximately $16,000 due to Regents. License maintenance fees are recognized in research and development expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The 2015 UC License will expire upon the expiration date of the longest-lived patent right licensed under the 2015 UC License. The Regents may terminate the 2015 UC License if: (i) a material breach by us is not cured within 60 days, (ii) the Company files a claim asserting the Regents licensed patent rights are invalid or unenforceable, or (iii) the Company files for bankruptcy. The Company also has the right to terminate the 2015 UC License at any time upon at least 90 days’ written notice.
Contingent Value Right
Immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, Seneca issued each share of its common stock held by Seneca stockholders of record, one contingent value right (“CVR”). The CVR entitled the holder (the “CVR Holder”) to receive, pro rata with the other CVR Holders, 80% of the net proceeds, if any and subject to certain minimum distribution limitations (“CVR Payment Amount”), received from the sale or licensing of the intellectual property owned, licensed or controlled by Seneca immediately prior to the closing of the Merger (the “Legacy Technology”); provided however that the CVR Holders are only entitled to receive such CVR Payment Amount if the sale or licensing of such Legacy Technology occurred on or before October 27, 2022 (“Legacy Monetization”). Pursuant to the terms of the CVR agreement (“CVR Agreement”), CVR Holders entitlement to receive CVR Payment Amounts expired on April 27, 2025. There were no CVR Payments made to any of the CVR Holders pursuant to the CVR Agreement.
NSI-189 – Exclusive License and Subsequent Exercise of Purchase Option
Prior to the Merger, Seneca exclusively licensed certain patents and technologies, including a sublicense covering a synthetic intermediate, of the Company's NSI-189 assets (“189 License”), along with a purchase option through December 16, 2023 (“Purchase Option”). On October 22, 2021, Alto Neuroscience ("Alto") agreed to terms of an early exercise of the Purchase Option under the 189 License and entered into an asset transfer agreement ("ATA"). Alto is a U.S. based public, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a mission to redefine psychiatry by leveraging neurobiology to develop personalized and highly effective treatment options.
Pursuant to the ATA, Alto will be required to pay the Company up to an aggregate of $4.5 million upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory approval milestones for NSI-189 (or a product containing or otherwise derived from NSI-189), which is now known as ALTO-100. If Alto sells or grants to a third party a license to the patents and other rights specific to ALTO-100 prior to the achievement of a specified clinical development milestone, Alto will be required to pay to the Company a low-double digit percentage of any consideration received by Alto from such license or sale, provided that the maximum aggregate consideration Alto will be required to pay to the Company under the ATA, including the upfront payment and all potential milestones and transaction-related payments, will not exceed $5.0 million.
On October 22, 2024, Alto announced that its Phase 2b study of ALTO-100 in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) did not meet its primary endpoint. Notwithstanding, ALTO-100 is being evaluated as an adjunctive treatment in a Phase 2b study in bipolar depression with topline data expected in the second half of 2026. Upon the enrollment of a patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial of ALTO-100, if it occurs, a milestone payment of $1.5 million will be due to the Company from Alto under the ATA.
NSI-532.IGF-1
On October 27, 2022, the Company entered an agreement to license NSI-532.IGF-1 to the Regents of the University of Michigan ("University of Michigan") for maintaining NSI-532.IGF-1 cell lines, continued development, maintaining patent protection, and seeking licensees. The Company received no upfront fees for the license. NSI-532.IGF-1 is a preclinical cell therapy being investigated as a potential therapy for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The University of Michigan shall bear 100% of the costs for patent filing, prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement of the patent rights. The Company will receive 50% of net revenues received by the University of Michigan from the licensing of patent rights through the last-to-expire patent in patent rights, unless otherwise earlier terminated, less all reasonable and actual out-of-pocket costs incurred in the litigation of patent rights.
8. Net Loss Per Share
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share
Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, plus any potentially dilutive common shares, consisting of stock-based awards and equivalents, and common stock warrants. For purposes of this calculation, stock-based awards and equivalents and common stock warrants are considered to be potential common shares and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share when their effect is dilutive.
The Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and certain of the Company's outstanding common stock warrants contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends with the common stockholders, and therefore are considered to be participating securities. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the common stock warrants do not have a contractual obligation to fund the losses of the Company; therefore, the application of the two-class method is not required when the Company is in a net loss position but is required if the Company is in a net income position. When in a net income position, diluted net earnings per common share is computed using the more dilutive of the two-class method or the if-converted and treasury stock methods.
On May 6, 2024, the Company issued 530,142 prefunded warrants with such prefunded warrants being immediately exercisable, having an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and a perpetual term (See Note 5). The prefunded warrants were determined to be equity-classified in accordance with ASC 480 and ASC 815-40. As of September 30, 2024, 312,000 the prefunded warrants remained unexercised. Pursuant to the guidance of ASC 260-10, the Company concluded that because the equity-classified prefunded warrants were immediately exercisable for little or cash consideration due to the non-substantive stated exercise price, all the necessary conditions for issuance of the underlying common shares had been met when the prefunded warrants were issued. Therefore, the underlying common shares have been included in the denominator for both the calculation of basic and dilutive net loss per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2025, there were no prefunded warrants outstanding. Accordingly, there were no prefunded warrants included in the denominator for both the calculation of basic and dilutive net loss per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.
As the Company was in a net loss position for all periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 were calculated under the if-converted and treasury stock methods. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, basic and diluted net loss per common share were the same as all common stock equivalents other than the prefunded warrants that were outstanding at September 30, 2024, as discussed above, were anti-dilutive for all the periods presented.
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per common share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Basic and diluted net loss per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss available to common stockholders - basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(2,868 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,487 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,882 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,094 |
) |
Weighted average shares used in calculating basic and diluted net loss per common share |
|
|
7,473,898 |
|
|
|
1,500,409 |
|
|
|
5,702,050 |
|
|
|
1,168,277 |
|
Basic and diluted net loss per common share |
|
$ |
(0.38 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.32 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.38 |
) |
|
$ |
(9.50 |
) |
The following potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effects would be anti-dilutive:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Stock options |
|
|
167,261 |
|
|
|
51,733 |
|
Restricted stock units |
|
|
92,352 |
|
|
|
3,728 |
|
Warrants for common stock |
|
|
9,295,577 |
|
|
|
1,245,470 |
|
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Total |
|
|
9,555,198 |
|
|
|
1,300,939 |
|
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Corporate Office Lease
The Company was party to non-cancelable facility operating lease (the "Corporate Office Lease") of office space for its corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California. The initial contractual term was for 39-months commencing on June 1, 2022 and the lease expired on August 31, 2025. The Company has determined that it will not enter into a new lease for its corporate office space.
The Company recognized operating lease expense associated with its Corporate Office Lease of approximately $22,000 and $32,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $87,000 and $97,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Insurance Financing Arrangements
In June of 2025, the Company entered an agreement to finance insurance policies that renewed in May of 2025. The financing arrangement entered in June of 2025 has a stated annual interest rate of 7.82% and is payable over a 9-month period with the first payment payable on June 30, 2025. The insurance financing arrangement is secured by the associated insurance policy. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the aggregate remaining balance under the Company's insurance financing arrangements in place at each time was approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Restructuring Costs
In order to better utilize the Company’s resources on the implementation of its refocused business plans and corporate strategy, the Company committed to a reduction-in-workforce on October 27, 2023 (the "2023 RIF"). The 2023 RIF consisted of a 25% reduction in the Company's employee workforce, specifically research and development employees that were no longer deemed critical for the Company’s development of PALI-2108.
The total restructuring expenses related to the 2023 RIF of approximately $0.2 million were all recognized in 2023 and with the final cash payments occurring in the three months ended June 30, 2024, the 2023 RIF is now considered complete. The following table summarizes the change in the Company's accrued restructuring liabilities under the
2023 RIF for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which consisted solely of employee compensation and benefits and is classified within accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
|
Balance as of the beginning of period |
|
$ |
131 |
|
Net accrual adjustments |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Cash paid |
|
|
(128 |
) |
Balance as of the end of period |
|
$ |
— |
|
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may be involved in various lawsuits, legal proceedings, or claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes there are no claims or actions pending against the Company through September 30, 2025, which will have, individually or in aggregate, a material adverse effect on its business, liquidity, financial position, or results of operations. Litigation, legal proceedings or claims, however, are subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in such matters may arise from time to time that may harm the Company’s business.
10. Segment Information
The Company operates as one operating and reportable segment, focused on the research and development of novel therapeutics for patients, including the advancement of PALI-2108 through clinical trials. The Company did not aggregate multiple operating segments into its one operating segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is its chief executive officer.
The Company's CODM uses Net loss that is reported on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the purposes of assessing performance, allocating resources and planning, monitoring budget versus actual results, and forecasting future periods. The Company’s CODM views specific program spend within research and development expenses, research and development spend that is not allocated to specific programs, as well as general and administrative expenses as significant segment expenses. As a pre-product revenue company, the CODM considers budget versus actual results for expenses that are deemed significant and cash forecast models for assessing performance and to decide the level of investment in the Company’s operating and capital allocation activities.
In addition to significant expense categories included in Net loss, the Company regularly provides disaggregated significant expense amounts that comprise operating expenses to the CODM to assist when managing the Company's single reporting segment. A reconciliation to consolidated operating expenses as our single segment operating loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 is included in the table below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
PALI-2108 program expenses |
|
$ |
457 |
|
|
$ |
1,839 |
|
|
$ |
2,280 |
|
|
$ |
5,559 |
|
Legacy program (expense reimbursements) expenses |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
(45 |
) |
|
|
178 |
|
Other research and development expenses |
|
|
933 |
|
|
|
434 |
|
|
|
1,830 |
|
|
|
1,645 |
|
Other general and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,519 |
|
|
|
1,241 |
|
|
|
4,010 |
|
|
|
4,095 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
2,922 |
|
|
$ |
3,593 |
|
|
$ |
8,075 |
|
|
$ |
11,477 |
|
PALI-2108 program expenses are those expenses directly related with the development of the Company's only asset currently under development, PALI-2108. Legacy program expenses are those expenses directly related to its legacy assets, primarily LB1148, which the Company ceased developing in August of 2023. Other research and development expenses includes primarily employee-related expenses and research and development facility expenses, which are not allocated to specific programs, and non-cash losses associated with changes in the fair value of the Company's contingent consideration obligation. Other general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salary and employee-related costs and benefits, professional fees for legal, investor and public relations, accounting and audit services, insurance costs, director and committee fees, and general corporate expenses. Excluded from other general and administrative expenses are intellectual property expenses and business development expenses that are allocated to program expenses.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the other segment items that the Company used to aggregate with Total operating expenses to arrive at Net Loss as shown on the condensed consolidated statement of operations include Interest expense and Other income, net.
The Company does not provide separate segment asset information to the CODM because the CODM does not review segment assets at a different asset level or category than those shown on the consolidated balance sheets. All of the Company’s assets are located in the U.S.
11. Subsequent Events
October 2025 Offering
On October 1, 2025, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in an underwritten public offering by the Company (the “October 2025 Offering”), (a) 87,526,279 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offering price of $0.70 per share, and (b) 83,914,280 pre-funded warrants to purchase one share of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offering price of $0.6999 per share (“October 2025 Offering Pre-funded Common Stock Warrant”). The October 2025 Offering Pre-funded Common Stock Warrants were issued in lieu of shares of common stock to certain purchasers whose purchase of shares of common stock in the October 2025 Offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock immediately following the closing of the offering. The October 2025 Offering Pre-funded Common Stock Warrants are exercisable immediately and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. Each October 2025 Offering Pre-funded Common Stock Warrant has an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and has a perpetual term. In addition, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the sole underwriter a 45-day option (the “Overallotment Option”) to purchase up to 25,714,285 additional shares of the Company's common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
The October 2025 Offering closed on October 2, 2025 for gross proceeds to the Company of $138.0 million, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses, including the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option to purchase 25,714,28 additional shares of common stock. At closing, the Company issued (a) 113,240,564 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offering price of $0.70 per share, and (b) 83,914,280 October 2025 Offering Pre-funded Common Stock Warrants.
The Company issued common stock warrants to representatives of the sole underwriter in the October 2025 Offering to purchase an aggregate 7,878,927 shares of common stock (the “October 2025 Representative Warrants”). The October 2025 Representative Warrants have an exercise price of $1.155 per share and a term of five years from the date of issuance.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements because they involve our expectations, intentions, beliefs, plans, projections, anticipations, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of any number of factors. Some of these factors are more fully discussed in the section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements or announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements except as required by law.
We recommend investors read this entire Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the “Risk Factors” section, the condensed consolidated financial statements, and related notes thereto. As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, “Palisade,” “Palisade Bio,” the "Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” or similar designations in this report refer to Palisade Bio, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and its subsidiaries. Any reference to “common shares” or “common stock,” refers to our $0.01 par value common stock. Any reference to “Series A Preferred Stock” refers to our Series A 4.5% Convertible Preferred Stock. Any reference herein that refers to preclinical studies also refers to nonclinical studies.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is provided, in addition to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes, to assist you in understanding our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. The MD&A is organized as follows:
•
Executive Overview — Discussion of our business and overall analysis of financial and other items affecting our Company in order to provide context for the remainder of MD&A.
•
Results of Operations — Analysis of our financial results comparing the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.
•
Liquidity and Capital Resources — An analysis of cash flows and discussion of our financial condition and future liquidity needs.
Executive Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and advancing novel therapeutics for patients living with autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases. Our lead product candidate, PALI-2108, is being developed as a treatment for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (“IBD”), including ulcerative colitis (“UC”) and fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease (“FSCD”).
Our Precision Medicine Approach
We are developing a biomarker-based patient selection approach that we believe may aid clinicians in identifying patients who may better respond to PALI-2108, thereby improving the rate of clinical response previously demonstrated with enzyme phosphodiesterase-4 (“PDE4”) inhibitors. Our approach involves the use of clinical and multiomics data from large patient populations to identify PDE4-related biomarkers that are correlated with IBD, its severity, and which are modified with local PDE4-inhibitor therapy in the colon. Based on our research, we have initiated the development of corresponding biomarker assays for these PDE4-related biomarkers that we expect to use in our current and future clinical studies with the aim of developing regulatory approved tests for selecting potential responders to PALI-2108.
PALI-2108
Our lead product candidate, PALI-2108, is a prodrug inhibitor designed to help treat UC and FSCD by targeting the key PDE4 in colon tissues and preventing it from breaking down cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (“cAMP”) molecules that regulate inflammation in the body. By inhibiting PDE4, intracellular cAMP molecule levels become elevated, which may lead to a reduction of inflammatory molecules and an increase of anti-inflammatory molecules within tissues of the colon.
Additionally, we believe that PALI-2108 may help prevent the movement of inflammatory cells from the blood into colon tissues, thereby lowering the activity of certain proteins that contribute to fibrosis (a type of tissue scarring).
With a glucuronic-derived sugar moiety, PALI-2108 remains minimally absorbed until activated by the colonic bacterium enzyme β-glucuronidase. We believe that localized bioactivation may help focus the effects of PALI-2108 where it would be most beneficial to a patient suffering from IBD.
Phase 1 Clinical Study of PALI-2108
The Phase 1 clinical study of PALI-2108 is a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study focused on safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (“PK”) in both healthy volunteers and UC patients. The clinical study included an open-label UC patient cohort with multiple dosing arms in which we will evaluate the pharmacodynamics ("PD") of PALI-2108 in healthy volunteers.
On October 9, 2024, Health Canada issued a No Objection Letter for our Phase 1 human clinical study of PALI-2108 for the treatment of UC. We officially began studying on November 7, 2024. We have completed the dosing of 89 subjects across all planned cohorts of the study. Each of the five Single Ascending Dose (“SAD”) cohorts and the four Multiple Ascending Dose (“MAD”) cohorts consisted of eight subjects, with six subjects receiving the drug and two subjects receiving a placebo. The food effects (“FE”) study included two cohorts each of six subjects, of which one cohort was in a fasted state and the other cohort in a fed state. Finally, we have completed the dosing of all five UC patients in the UC cohort of the study.
On May 27, 2025, we announced positive results from the SAD, MAD and FE cohorts in healthy volunteers and on August 7, 2025 and September 17, 2025, we announced positive results from the UC cohort portion of the study. The clinical study successfully met its primary endpoints of safety, tolerability, and PK. We also reported that the patients included in the UC cohort demonstrated rapid and consistent clinical activity, with all five of the patients responding to treatment. We also reported that while the study was shorter in duration than standard induction trials and not powered for efficacy, there was promising signals of clinical improvement.
On October 16, 2025, we dosed our first patients in an exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD while we complete longer-term chronic safety and toxicology studies. The exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD will evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, and PD of once-daily oral dosing of PALI-2108 over a 14-day treatment period as well as evaluate tissue-level pharmacology and molecular responses using paired ileal biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Analyses will include single-nucleus and single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize treatment-induced changes in inflammatory and fibrotic signaling. Exploratory endpoints include endoscopic, histologic, and intestinal ultrasound measures to assess structural and inflammatory features of FSCD lesions.
The exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD is expected to be followed by the initiation of Phase 2 clinical programs to assess PALI-2108’s efficacy, safety, and tolerability in patients with FSCD, as well as those with moderate to severe UC.
Planned Clinical Trial in the United States
In addition to conducting clinical studies in Canada, we anticipate data from the exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD together with results from the Phase 1a/1b UC program will support an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”) submission to the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") in the first half of 2026.
October 2025 Offering
On October 2, 2025, we closed on an underwritten public offering to issue and sell 197,154,844 shares of common stock and common stock equivalents for gross proceeds, including the full exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option, of approximately $138.0 million prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses (the "October 2025 Offering"). We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the development of PALI-2108 for the treatment of UC and FSCD.
July 2025 Warrant Inducement Transaction
On July 23, 2025, we entered into a warrant inducement agreement to exercise certain of our existing common stock warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,318,905 shares of our common stock (the "July 2025 Warrant Inducement"). The transaction closed on July 25, 2025 for gross cash proceeds of approximately $3.9 million prior to deducting solicitation agent fees and transaction expenses.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the warrant inducement transaction for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the development of PALI-2108 for the treatment of UC and FSCD.
Reverse Stock Split
On October 17, 2025, our stockholders approved a proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split. The proposal authorizes but does not require our Board of Directors (the “Board”) to effect a reverse stock split of our common stock at a reverse stock split ratio of not less than 1-for-5 and not greater than 1-for-50, with the exact ratio to be set within that range at the discretion of our Board, without further approval or authorization of our stockholders, and to be effected on or before December 31, 2025. Our Board has not yet effected this reverse stock split authorized by our stockholders.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Research and Development Expenses
Our research and development costs include:
•
salaries and employee-related costs, including stock-based compensation;
•
laboratory and vendor expenses related to the execution of preclinical and clinical trials;
•
expenses under agreements with third-party contract research organizations ("CROs"), investigative clinical trial sites that conduct research and development activities on our behalf, and consultants;
•
costs related to develop and manufacture preclinical study and clinical trial material; and
Through the majority of 2024, the nature of our research and development expenses incurred related primarily to the preclinical activities associated with our joint development of PALI-2108 with our collaboration partner, Giiant Pharma Inc. ("Giiant"). With the approval to commence the Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108, which we received from Health Canada on October 9, 2024, pursuant to terms of the research and collaboration agreement that we have with Giiant ("Giiant License Agreement"), we have assumed all development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercialization activities and costs of PALI-2108. Therefore, we expect our clinical research and development costs directly attributable to the clinical trials of PALI-2108 to be higher in 2025 as compared to the prior year periods, offset by a decrease in joint development costs associated with the Giiant License Agreement.
Our direct research and development expenses are tracked by product candidate and consist primarily of external costs, such as fees paid under third-party license agreements and to outside consultants, CROs, clinical sites, contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) and research laboratories in connection with our preclinical development, process development, manufacturing, clinical development, and regulatory activities. We do not allocate employee costs and costs associated with our discovery efforts, laboratory supplies and facilities, including other indirect costs, to specific product candidates because these costs are deployed across multiple programs and, as such, are not separately classified. As needed, we manage third parties that are engaged to conduct our (i) research activities, (ii) preclinical, clinical and translational science development activities, and (iii) process development. When we perform any research and development or manufacturing activities under a co-development agreement, we record the expense reimbursement from the co-development partner as a reduction to research and development expense once the reimbursement amount is approved for payment by the co-development partner. Pursuant to agreements where we perform research and development activities under a joint development plan, such as our research and collaboration with Giiant, qualifying development costs are expensed as research and development costs as incurred. We recognize expense payments from Giiant, if any, as a reduction to research and development expense once the expense payments are realized or realizable, which is when we receive the cash or we have an undisputed claim to the cash that is probable of collection.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salary and employee-related costs and benefits, professional fees for legal, intellectual property, investor and public relations, accounting and audit services, insurance costs, director and committee fees, and general corporate expenses.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Change |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
1,394 |
|
|
$ |
2,137 |
|
|
$ |
(743 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
)% |
General and administrative |
|
|
1,528 |
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
2,922 |
|
|
|
3,593 |
|
|
|
(671 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
)% |
Loss from operations |
|
|
(2,922 |
) |
|
|
(3,593 |
) |
|
|
671 |
|
|
|
(19 |
)% |
Other (expense) income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(17 |
)% |
Other income, net |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
)% |
Total other income, net |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
(49 |
)% |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(2,868 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,487 |
) |
|
$ |
619 |
|
|
|
(18 |
)% |
Research and Development Expenses
Our research and development expenses decreased approximately $0.7 million, or 35%, for the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease is primarily attributable to an approximately $1.1 million decrease in expenses that were directly related to the preclinical joint development of PALI-2108 and an approximately $0.5 million decrease in chemistry, manufacturing and controls ("CMC") expenses. These decreases were partially offset by an approximately $0.2 million net increase in clinical trial-related expenses associated with Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108, approximately $0.5 million in non-cash expenses associated with a net increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, and an approximately $0.2 million increase in research and development employee-related expenses.
With the approval to commence the Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108, which we received from Health Canada on October 9, 2024, pursuant to terms of the Giiant License Agreement we have assumed all development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercialization activities and costs of PALI-2108. Accordingly, preclinical joint development expenses decreased year-over-year and were approximately $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to virtually none for the three months ended September 30, 2025. In addition, in the three months ended September 30, 2025 we recognized a reduction in joint development expenses of $0.2 million that was related to funds received by us from Giiant pursuant to the joint development plan, resulting in a total net decrease in preclinical joint development expenses of approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024.
We commenced our Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108 in November of 2024 and reported top-line results of the study in the second and third quarters of this year. Concurrent with the commencement of the study, we recognized CMC expenses of approximately $0.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to approximately $0.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of approximately $0.5 million. We recognized clinical trial-related expenses of approximately $0.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to clinical trial-related expenses of approximately $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of approximately $0.2 million.
Pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, we owe Giiant certain payments upon the achievement of development milestones associated with PALI-2108. Concurrent with the expected dosed our first patients in an exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD, which occurred on October 16, 2025, we recognized an approximate $0.3 million non-cash loss in three months ended September 30, 2025 with the fair value remeasurement of the associated contingent consideration liability. In the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized an approximate $0.2 million non-cash gain on the fair value remeasurement of the contingent consideration liability, resulting in a net non-cash loss year-over-year of approximately $0.5 million.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by less than $0.1 million, or 5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily as result of an approximately $0.1 million increase in general and administrative employee-related expenses, and an approximately $0.1 million increase in shareholder services and legal expenses. The increase in shareholder and legal expenses was primarily due to a special shareholder meeting scheduled to occur in the third quarter of 2025 to approve the issuance of common shares underlying the common stock warrants issued in the July 2025 Warrant Inducement, and the timing of the annual shareholder meeting, which occurred in the early fourth quarter of 2025 compared to last year's annual meeting, which occurred in early third quarter of 2024. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in consultants and contract labor of approximately $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024.
Other (expense) income
Other income, net, for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 consists of dividend income from our investments of excess cash in money market funds with maturities of three months or less. The year-over-year decrease is due to a reduction in the cash balance invested during the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024.
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Change |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
4,019 |
|
|
$ |
6,979 |
|
|
$ |
(2,960 |
) |
|
|
(42 |
)% |
General and administrative |
|
|
4,056 |
|
|
|
4,498 |
|
|
|
(442 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
)% |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
8,075 |
|
|
|
11,477 |
|
|
|
(3,402 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
)% |
Loss from operations |
|
|
(8,075 |
) |
|
|
(11,477 |
) |
|
|
3,402 |
|
|
|
(30 |
)% |
Other (expense) income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(11 |
)% |
Other income, net |
|
|
201 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
(191 |
) |
|
|
(49 |
)% |
Total other income, net |
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
(190 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
)% |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,882 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,094 |
) |
|
$ |
3,212 |
|
|
|
(29 |
)% |
Research and Development Expenses
Our research and development expenses decreased approximately $3.0 million, or 42%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease is primarily attributable to an approximately $5.2 million decrease in expenses that were directly related to the preclinical joint development of PALI-2108, an approximately $0.2 million decrease in CMC expenses, and an approximately $0.1 million decrease in employee-related expenses. The decreases were partially offset by an approximately $2.0 million net increase in clinical trial-related expenses associated with Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108, and an approximately $0.5 million net non-cash loss associated with an increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement.
Preclinical joint development expenses were approximately $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to less than $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we recognized a reduction in joint development costs of $0.9 million that was related to funds received by us from Giiant pursuant to the joint development plan, resulting in a total net decrease in preclinical joint development expenses of approximately $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024. CMC expenses decreased to approximately $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to CMC expenses of approximately $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Research and development employee-related expenses decreased approximately $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to a non-cash share-based compensation expense associated with the accelerated vesting of all outstanding employee time-based restricted stock units ("RSUs") recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 that did not repeat in the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
We recognized clinical trial-related expenses of approximately $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to clinical trial-related expenses of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of approximately $2.0 million due primarily to the commencement of our Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108 in November of 2024.
We recognized an approximate $0.3 million non-cash loss in the nine months ended September 30, 2025 as a result of the fair value remeasurement of the contingent consideration liability under the Giiant License Agreement, and an approximate $0.2 million non-cash gain on the fair value remeasurement of the contingent consideration liability in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, resulting in a net non-cash loss year-over-year of approximately $0.5 million.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $0.4 million, or 10%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily as result of (i) an approximately $0.1 million decrease in general and administrative employee-related expenses due to a non-cash share-based compensation expense of approximately $0.1 million associated with the accelerated vesting of all outstanding employee time-based RSUs recognized in the in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 that did not repeat in the nine months ended September 30, 2025, (ii) an approximately $0.3 million decrease in consultants and contract labor, and (iii) and approximately $0.1 million decrease in insurance expenses due to lower insurance premiums. These decreases were partially offset by an approximately $0.1 million increase in professional fees.
Other (expense) income
Other income, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 consists of dividend income from our investments of excess cash in money market funds with maturities of three months or less. The year-over-year decrease is due to a reduction in the cash balance invested during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We expect to incur substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future. Since our inception, we have financed our operations through the sales of our securities, issuance of debt, the exercise of common stock warrants, and to a lesser degree, grants and research contracts as well as the licensing of our intellectual property to third parties.
Management believes the October 2025 Offering for gross proceeds of $138 million, as further described below, will provide sufficient capital to fund our operations through major clinical development milestones including a Phase 2 primary efficacy readout of PALI-2108 for UC in the second half of 2027 and a Phase 2 primary efficacy readout of PALI-2108 for FSCD in the first half of 2028.
Future capital requirements will depend upon many factors, including the timing and extent of spending on research and development and market acceptance of our products, if approved for commercial sale. We will require additional funding to conduct future clinical activities. We may seek additional funding through public and private financings, debt financings, collaboration agreements, strategic alliances and licensing agreements. Although we have been successful in raising capital in the past, there is no assurance of success in obtaining such additional financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and there is no assurance that we will be able to enter into collaborations or other arrangements. If we are unable to obtain funding, it could force delays, reduce or eliminate research and development programs, product portfolio expansion or commercialization efforts, which could adversely affect our future business prospects, and the ability to continue operations.
October 2025 Offering
Pursuant to the October 2025 Offering, we issued and sold (a) 113,240,564 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offering price of $0.70 per share, and (b) 83,914,280 pre-funded warrants to purchase one share of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offering price of $0.6999 per share. Gross proceeds from the offering, including the full exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option, were approximately $138.0 million, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the warrant inducement transaction for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the development of PALI-2108 for the treatment of UC and FSCD.
Warrant Inducement Transaction
On July 23, 2025, we entered into a warrant inducement agreement (the “July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement”) with an accredited and institutional holder (the “July 2025 Warrant Holder”) of certain of the our existing common stock warrants ( the “July 2025 Existing Warrants”) to exercise the July 2025 Existing Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,318,905 shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement, the exercise price of each July 2025 Existing Warrant exercised was reduced from $1.40 per share to $0.9047 per share. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the July 2025 Existing Warrants, the July 2025 Warrant Holder received new warrants (the “July 2025 Replacement Warrants”) to purchase shares of common stock in a private placement. Pursuant to the July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement, the July 2025 Warrant Holder received two July 2025 Replacement Warrants for each July 2025 Existing Warrant exercised. The July 2025 Replacement Warrants will be exercisable, beginning on the effective date of stockholder approval of the issuance of the common stock shares underlying the July 2025 Replacement Warrants ("Warrant Stockholder Approval"), into an aggregate of up to 8,637,810 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $0.9047 per share, and a term of exercise equal to five years from the date of Warrant Stockholder Approval. We have not yet received Warrant Stockholder Approval.
The transaction closed on July 25, 2025 with the Company receiving net cash proceeds of approximately $3.4 million, which consisted of gross cash proceeds of $3.9 million from the exercise of the July 2025 Existing Warrants less cash equity issuance costs of approximately $0.5 million.
Cash Flows
As of September 30, 2025, we had $5.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(7,703 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,812 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
3,109 |
|
|
|
5,420 |
|
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities was approximately $7.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, which reflects an approximately $7.9 million net loss adjusted for (i) approximately $0.5 million of net cash outflows related to changes in operating assets and liabilities, and (ii) certain non-cash items impacting the net loss, consisting primarily of (ii) an approximately $0.3 million non-cash expense recognized for the fair value remeasurement of liabilities, mainly our contingent consideration liability, (ii) an approximately $0.2 million non-cash expense recognized for stock-based compensation and related charges, (iii) an approximately $0.1 million non-cash operating lease expense, and (iv) an approximately $0.1 million non-cash expense related to the write-off of certain deferred equity issuance costs associated with our shelf registration statement that expired in April of 2025. The net cash outflow from operating assets and liabilities was primarily attributable to (ii) a net cash outflow of approximately $0.5 million from an increase in prepaid and other current assets and other noncurrent assets that was due to the deferral of issuance costs in the amount of approximately $0.6 million associated with the equity offering that closed on October 2, 2025 and a significant prepaid research and development expense of approximately $0.4 million recognized in the period, (ii) a cash outflow of approximately $0.1 million driven by the payment of annual employee cash bonuses in the first quarter of 2025, and (iii) an approximately $0.1 million cash outflow related to payments of our operating lease. These net cash outflows were partially offset by an approximately $0.3 million cash inflow from an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, primarily due to higher clinical trial-related expenses as a result of increased clinical trial activity, partially offset by lower accrued joint development expenses associated with the Giiant License Agreement.
Cash used in operating activities was approximately $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which reflects an approximately $11.1 million net loss adjusted for (i) approximately $0.7 million of net cash inflows related to changes in operating assets and liabilities, and (ii) certain non-cash items impacting the net loss, consisting primarily of an approximately $0.6 million non-cash expense recognized for stock-based compensation and related charges, an approximately $0.1 million non-cash expense associated with the issuance of our common stock as payment for vendor services provided, and a $0.2 million non-cash gain recognized for the remeasurement of our contingent consideration liability.
The net cash inflow from operating assets and liabilities was primarily attributable to a net cash outflow of approximately $0.3 million driven by the payment of annual employee cash bonuses in the first quarter of 2024, and an approximately $0.1 million cash outflow related to payments of the our operating lease that was more than offset by approximately $1.1 million from (i) a decrease in prepaids and other current assets and other noncurrent assets, which was primarily attributable to the amortization of the current and non-current portions of the our prepaid insurance policies, and (ii) an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which was primarily due to an increase in accrued joint development expenses associated with the Giiant License Agreement, and additional drug manufacturing accruals associated with our ramp up for the clinical trials of PALI-2108 for UC. These increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities were partially offset by a decrease in accrued severance payments, lower accrued Board of Director ("Board") and Board committee fees, and a decrease in the current portion of our contingent consideration liability, which was zero as of September 30, 2024.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, cash provided by financing activities of approximately $3.1 million was primarily attributable to net cash proceeds of approximately $3.5 million from the exercise of common stock warrants in conjunction with the July 2025 Warrant Inducement, partially offset by the payment of equity issuance costs of approximately $0.2 million in the period, primarily related to our underwritten equity offering completed in December of 2024, and payments made on our insurance financing arrangement of approximately $0.2 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash provided by financing activities of approximately $5.4 million was attributable to net cash proceeds of approximately $2.2 million from the exercise of common stock warrants in conjunction with our warrant inducement transaction in February 2024 and net cash proceeds of approximately $3.5 million from our private placement financing completed in May of 2024, partially offset by payments made on our insurance financing arrangement of approximately $0.3 million.
Contractual Obligations
Milestone Payment
Pursuant to the Giiant License Agreement, we owe a development milestone payment of $235,000 to Giiant upon the dosing of the first patient in a Phase 1b clinical trial of PALI-2108. This milestone was achieved with the dosing of patients in our Phase 1b exploratory FSCD cohort, which occurred on October 16, 2025. The Company will settle this milestone payment in cash in the amount of $235,000 within 30 days of the date the milestone was met.
Insurance Financing Arrangement
In June of 2025, we entered into an agreement to finance insurance policies that renewed in May of 2025. The insurance financing arrangement is secured by the associated insurance policy. As of September 30, 2025, the aggregate remaining balance under the insurance financing arrangement of approximately $0.2 million is payable over a 9-month period commencing with the first payment that was payable on June 30, 2025.
Future Liquidity Needs
We have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. To date, we have not been able to generate significant revenues nor achieve operating profitability. Based upon our cash and cash equivalents balance including the gross cash proceeds of $138 million from our underwritten public offering that closed on October 2, 2025, we believe we have sufficient capital to fund our operations through major clinical development milestones including a Phase 2 primary efficacy readout of PALI-2108 for UC in the second half of 2027 and a Phase 2 primary efficacy readout of PALI-2108 for FSCD in the first half of 2028.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates are based on historical experience, known trends, events and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. In making estimates and judgments, management employs critical accounting policies.
Our critical accounting estimates are identified in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K include the discussion of estimates used for accrued research and development expenses and our contingent consideration obligation. We believe there has been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates since those disclosed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are not required to provide the information required by this item as we are considered a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2025. Based upon the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2025, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at a reasonable assurance level as a result of the material weakness that existed in our internal control over financial reporting, as described below.
However, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, has concluded that, notwithstanding the identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that a reasonable possibility exists that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As previously disclosed, during the quarter ended June 30, 2021, we identified a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of controls in the financial closing and reporting process, including a lack of segregation of duties and the documentation and design of formalized processes and procedures surrounding the creation and posting of journal entries and account reconciliations. This material weakness contributed to a material weakness in our control activities based on the criteria set forth in the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 2013 Framework. If not remediated, or if we identify further material weaknesses in its internal controls, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and a failure to meet its reporting and financial obligations.
As described below, management has begun designing the plan and executing the remediation actions to address the material weakness and further actions are ongoing as of September 30, 2025. The material weakness continues to be present as of September 30, 2025.
Remediation Efforts related to the Material Weakness
Management, with oversight from our Audit Committee of the Board, is actively engaged in remediation efforts to address the material weaknesses identified in the management’s evaluation of internal controls and procedures. The remediation efforts summarized below, which have been or are in the process of being implemented, are intended to address the identified material weakness.
(i)
We have hired or contracted with additional finance, accounting and information technology employees with appropriate experience, certification, education and training.
(ii)
We have implemented new accounting and finance management software effective July 1, 2022, which is intended to eliminate some of the existing deficiencies in our internal control environment. The information technology general controls implemented with the new accounting and finance management software will be documented and tested for operating effectiveness.
(iii)
We are in the process of updating our formal accounting policies, procedures and controls, including preparation and review of account reconciliations, review of journal entries, and controls over period end financial reporting.
(iv)
We have identified and implemented controls to address all segregation of duties deficiencies in our current control environment. The controls implemented to remediate all segregation of duties deficiencies identified will be documented and tested for operating effectiveness.
(v)
We will continue to implement, as needed, additional key internal controls designed to address the potential risks identified in our business processes. Any additional controls implemented will be tested for operating effectiveness.
We believe that remediation steps taken to date have allowed us to address a number of the deficient controls within our internal control environment. However, the material weakness identified above will not be considered remediated until we complete the design and implementation of our remediation plans and demonstrate the operating effectiveness of our remediation efforts over a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the quarter ended September 30, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
The Company faces many risks and uncertainties, as more fully described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors.” Some of these risks and uncertainties are summarized below. The summary below does not contain all of the information that may be important to you, and you should read this summary together with the more detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties contained in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”
Risks Related to Our Development, Commercialization and Regulatory Approval of Our Product Candidates
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Our business depends on the successful clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of our therapeutic compounds, including our lead asset PALI-2108.
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There are substantial risks in drug development, and, as a result, we may not be able to successfully develop any product candidate, including our lead product candidate, PALI-2108.
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We depend on our license agreement with Giiant Pharma Inc. ("Giiant") to permit us to use patents and patent applications relating to PALI-2108. Termination of these rights or the failure to comply with our obligations under the license agreement could materially harm our business and prevent us from developing or commercializing PALI-2108, our lead product candidate.
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We are currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108 in Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or applicable foreign regulatory authorities may not accept data from such trials, or any other trial we conduct outside of the U.S.
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We may find it difficult to enroll patients in our clinical trials, which could delay or prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials of our product candidates.
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We expect that our operations and development of PALI-2108 will require substantially more capital than we currently have, and we cannot guarantee when or if we will be able to secure such additional funding.
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Our product candidates, including our lead product candidate PALI-2108, may cause undesirable side effects or have other unexpected properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in post-approval regulatory action.
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There can be no assurance that our product candidates will obtain regulatory approval.
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If clinical studies of PALI-2108 do not yield successful results, we may discontinue the development of PALI-2108.
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It may take us longer than we estimate to complete clinical trials, and we may not be able to complete them at all.
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Even if PALI-2108 is approved for commercialization, future regulatory reviews or inspections may result in its suspension or withdrawal, closure of a facility or substantial fines.
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The successful commercialization of PALI-2108, if approved, will depend in part on the extent to which government authorities and health insurers establish adequate reimbursement levels and pricing policies.
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We face potential product liability exposure, and if successful claims are brought against us, we may incur substantial liability for a product candidate and we may need to limit our commercialization.
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Even if a product candidate obtains regulatory approval, it may fail to achieve the broad degree of physician and patient adoption and use necessary for commercial success.
Risks Related to Our Business
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We have a limited operating history and have never generated any revenues from product sales.
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Our business model assumes revenue from, among other activities, marketing or out-licensing the products we develop. PALI-2108 is in the early stages of clinical development, and because we have a short development history with PALI-2108, there is a limited amount of information about us upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects.
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We may choose to discontinue the development or commercialization of any of our product candidates, or may choose not to commercialize product candidates in approved indications, at any time during development or after approval, which could adversely affect us and our operations.
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Our inability to successfully in-license, acquire, develop and market additional product candidates or approved products could impair our ability to grow our business.
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Changes in funding for the FDA and, other government agencies or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, or otherwise prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner or otherwise prevent these agencies or authorities from performing normal business functions on which the operations of our business may rely, which could negatively impact our business.
Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties
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We anticipate relying on third-party Contract Research Organizations ("CROs") and other third parties to conduct and oversee our clinical trials. If these third parties do not meet our requirements or otherwise conduct the trials as required, we may not be able to satisfy our contractual obligations for, obtain regulatory approval for, or commercialize our product candidates.
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We depend on two qualified suppliers for the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the clinical trials of PALI-2108. Insufficient availability of the API or other raw materials necessary to manufacture PALI-2108, or the inability of our suppliers to manufacture and supply our products on commercially reasonable terms, could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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We expect to rely on collaborations with third parties for the successful development and commercialization of our product candidates.
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We currently rely on third-party contractors to supply, manufacture and distribute clinical drug supplies for our product candidates.
Risks Related to Our Financial Operations
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We have a history of net operating losses, and we expect to continue to incur net operating losses and may never achieve profitability.
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Failure to remediate a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
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We may not be able to obtain, maintain or enforce global patent rights or other intellectual property rights that cover our product candidates and technologies that are of sufficient breadth to prevent third parties from competing against us.
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If we fail to comply with our obligations under our intellectual property license agreements, we could lose license rights that are important to our business.
Other Risks Related to Our Securities
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Our common stock could be delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market if we are unable to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing standards.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our latest annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider each of the following risks described below, together with all other information set forth in or incorporated in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes. The risks described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations and could result in a complete loss of your investment. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the market price of our common stock to decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Development, Commercialization and Regulatory Approval of Our Product Candidates
Our business depends on the successful clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of our therapeutic compounds, including our lead asset PALI-2108.
On October 9, 2024, Health Canada approved our Canadian Clinical Trial Application (“CTA”) to commence a Phase 1 clinical trial for PALI-2108 in Canada. On November 7, 2024, we commenced the Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108. On May 27, 2025, we announced positive results from the SAD, MAD and FE cohorts in healthy volunteers and on August 7, 2025 and September 17, 2025, we announced positive results from the UC cohort portion of the study. The clinical study successfully met its primary endpoints of safety, tolerability, and PK. On October 16, 2025, we dosed our first patients in an exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD while we complete longer-term chronic safety and toxicology studies. The exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD will evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, and PD of once-daily oral dosing of PALI-2108 over a 14-day treatment period as well as evaluate tissue-level pharmacology and molecular responses using paired ileal biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Our success depends on the development and clinical success of PALI-2108, which is subject to a number of risks, including:
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the continued enforceability of our research collaboration and license agreement with Giiant;
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timely and successful completion of required clinical trials, which may be significantly slower or costlier than we anticipate and/or produces results that do not achieve the primary or secondary endpoints of the trial(s);
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our ability to develop and implement clinical trial designs and protocols;
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the successful initiation and completion of our current planned clinical trials and any additionally required preclinical studies, if any;
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our ability to retain third-party CROs on terms acceptable to us for the conduct and oversight of our anticipated clinical trials, including our Phase 1 clinical trial for PALI-2108;
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our ability to fund the development costs related to PALI-2108’s clinical development;
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the approval by Health Canada or other regulatory authorities to commence the marketing of our product candidates;
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the ability for us and third-parties, if applicable, to achieve and maintain compliance with our contractual obligations and applicable regulatory requirements;
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the ability of our contract manufacturers to manufacture sufficient supply of our product candidates to meet the required clinical trial supplies and any additional required preclinical studies;
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the ability of our contract manufacturers to remain in good standing with regulatory agencies and to develop, validate and maintain commercially viable manufacturing facilities and processes that are compliant with cGMP regulations;
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our ability to obtain favorable labeling for our product candidates through regulators that allows for successful commercialization; acceptance by physicians, insurers, payors, and patients of the beneficial quality, safety and efficacy of our product candidates, if approved, including relative to alternative and competing treatments;
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our ability to price our product candidates to recover our development costs and applicable milestone or royalty payments, and generate a satisfactory profit margin; and
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our ability and our applicable collaboration and licensing partners’ ability to establish and enforce intellectual property rights related to our product candidates and technologies.
If we do not achieve one or more of these factors, many of which are beyond our control, in a timely manner or at all, we could experience significant delays or an inability to obtain regulatory approvals or commercialize our proposed product candidates. Even if successfully completed, we must complete a number of additional clinical trials prior to obtaining regulatory approval to commercialize our product candidates. Accordingly, we cannot make assurances that we will ever be able to generate sufficient revenue through the sale of any product candidates, if approved, to internally fund our business.
There are substantial risks in drug development, and, as a result, we may not be able to successfully develop any product candidate, including our lead product candidate, PALI-2108.
We have initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108 in our target indication of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Drug development requires a significant amount of capital and can take a long time to reach commercial viability, if it can be achieved at all. During the development process, we may experience technological barriers that we may be unable to overcome. Further, certain underlying premises in our development programs have not been proven. Because of these and similar uncertainties, it is possible that our product candidates will not reach commercialization. If we are unable to successfully develop and commercialize our product candidates, including our lead product candidate, PALI-2108, we will be unable to generate revenue or build a sustainable or profitable business.
We depend on our license agreement with Giiant to permit us to use patents and patent applications relating to PALI-2108. Termination of these rights or the failure to comply with our obligations under the license agreement could materially harm our business and prevent us from developing or commercializing PALI-2108, our lead product candidate.
We are a party to the Giiant License Agreement under which we have been granted rights to patents and patent applications that are important to our business. We rely on this license agreement to be able to use various proprietary technologies that are material to our business, including patents, and patent applications that cover PALI-2108. Our rights to PALI-2108 are subject to the continuation of, and our compliance with, the terms of the Giiant License Agreement. If we fail to comply with any of our obligations under the Giiant License Agreement, Giiant may have the right to terminate the Giiant License agreement, in which event we would not be able to continue the development or our proposed commercialization of PALI-2108. Additionally, disputes may arise under the Giiant License Agreement regarding the intellectual property that is subject to such agreement. If disputes over intellectual property that we have licensed, or in the future may license, prevent or impair our ability to maintain any of our license agreements, including the Giiant License Agreement, on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates and technologies.
Clinical drug development is expensive, time-consuming and uncertain.
The clinical development of product candidates is very expensive, time-consuming, difficult to design and implement, and the outcomes are inherently uncertain. Most product candidates that commence clinical trials are never approved by regulatory authorities for commercialization and of those that are approved, many do not generate sufficient revenue to cover their costs of development. In addition, we, any partner with which we may collaborate, Health Canada, any similar regulatory authority, state and local agencies, counterpart agencies in foreign countries, or the applicable Institutional Review Board ("IRB") at our trial sites, may suspend, delay, require modifications to or terminate our clinical trials, once begun, at any time.
We are currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108 in Canada, and the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities may not accept data from such trials, or any other trial we conduct outside of the U.S.
We are conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial for ulcerative colitis in Canada. However, we have not received approval from the FDA to commence any clinical trials in the U.S., and there is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain such approval in a timely manner, if at all. If our Phase 1 clinical trial is successful and we seek to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S, there is no certainty that the FDA will accept the data generated from our Canadian trial. The FDA’s acceptance of foreign clinical data is subject to certain conditions, including whether the trial was conducted in accordance with good clinical practices (“GCP”) and whether the FDA can validate the trial data through on-site inspections or other means.
Moreover, the FDA will assess whether the trial design, patient population, endpoints, and other factors meet the standards expected for clinical trials conducted within the U.S.
In addition, regulatory approval for clinical trials and eventual drug approval in the U.S. is a complex process, influenced by several factors, including:
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the adequacy and relevance of the Phase 1 trial data in supporting progression to Phase 2, as evaluated by the FDA;
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the ability of the trial to meet safety, efficacy, and other scientific requirements set by the FDA, which may differ from those of Health Canada;
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whether the foreign clinical trial was conducted under an FDA-recognized regulatory authority, and whether FDA oversight is possible through monitoring or inspection of clinical sites; and
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the FDA’s consideration of the risk-benefit ratio for continuing clinical development in the U.S., particularly based on data from a non-U.S. population.
Furthermore, while the FDA does have the ability to approve drugs that have undergone clinical trials in foreign jurisdictions, including Canada, approval is generally contingent on demonstrating that the trial data align with FDA standards and regulatory expectations. It is also possible that we may be required to conduct additional trials in the U.S. to address any concerns regarding the applicability of the foreign trial data to the U.S. population or regulatory environment. There can be no assurance that we will successfully obtain FDA approval to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S. or that if our Canadian trial is successful, a subsequent Phase 2 trial.
We may find it difficult to enroll patients in our clinical trials, which could delay or prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials of our product candidates.
Identifying and qualifying subjects to participate in our current and anticipated future clinical trials is critical to our success. Our inability to enroll patients in our clinical trials on a timely basis could result in the trials being delayed or never completed.
Patient enrollment and trial completion are affected by numerous additional factors, including the:
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process for identifying patients;
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design of the trial protocol;
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eligibility and exclusion criteria;
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perceived risks and benefits of the product candidate under study;
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availability of competing therapies and clinical trials;
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severity of the disease under investigation;
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proximity and availability of clinical trial sites for prospective patients;
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ability to obtain and maintain patients’ consents;
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risk that enrolled patients will drop out before completion of the clinical trial;
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patient referral practices of physicians; and,
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ability to monitor patients adequately during and after treatment.
If we have difficulty enrolling a sufficient number of patients to conduct our clinical trials as planned, we may need to delay, limit or terminate ongoing or planned clinical trials, any of which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. There can be no assurances that we will be able to complete enrollment for our anticipated Phase 1 clinical trial for PALI-2108, and if we fail to do so, we may not be able to complete the trial on a timely basis, or at all.
We expect that our operations and development of PALI-2108 will require substantially more capital than we currently have, and we cannot guarantee when or if we will be able to secure such additional funding.
We have historically funded our operations and prior development efforts through the sale of our securities. We believe the October 2025 Offering will provide sufficient capital to fund our operations through major clinical development milestones including a Phase 2 primary efficacy readout of PALI-2108 for UC in the second half of 2027 and a Phase 2 primary efficacy readout of PALI-2108 for FSCD in the first half of 2028. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may need to secure additional funding.
If we are not able to obtain additional capital in the future or on acceptable terms, we may need to curtail our anticipated clinical trials as well as our operations.
Our product candidates, including our lead product candidate, PALI-2108, may cause undesirable side effects or have other unexpected properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in post-approval regulatory action.
Unforeseen side effects from PALI-2108 could arise either during clinical development or, if approved, after it has been marketed. Undesirable side effects could cause us, any partners with which we may collaborate, or regulatory authorities to interrupt, extend, modify, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive or narrower label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by Health Canada, or comparable regulatory authorities like the FDA.
Results of clinical trials could reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects. In such an event, trials could be suspended or terminated, and Health Canada or comparable regulatory authorities, like the FDA, could order us to cease further development of or deny approval of a product candidate for any or all targeted indications. The drug-related side effects could affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in product liability claims. Any of these occurrences may have an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.
Additionally, if we or others identify undesirable side effects, or other previously unknown problems, caused by a product after obtaining regulatory approval, a number of potentially negative consequences could result, which could prevent us or our potential partners from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the product and could substantially increase the costs of commercializing such product.
There can be no assurance that our product candidates will obtain regulatory approval.
The sale of human therapeutic products in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions is subject to extensive and time-consuming regulatory approval, which requires, among other things:
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preclinical data required for the submission of an IND or CTA;
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controlled research and human clinical testing;
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establishment of the safety and efficacy of the proposed product candidate;
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government review and approval of a submission containing manufacturing, preclinical and clinical data; and
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adherence to cGMP regulations during production and storage.
PALI-2108 will require significant development, clinical testing, possibly additional preclinical studies, and the investment of significant funds to gain regulatory approval before it can be commercialized. Although we commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial in Canada, there can be no assurances that gaining regulatory approval in Canada will result in regulatory approval from any other regulatory agency, including the FDA of the U.S. The results of our human clinical testing of PALI-2108 may not meet applicable regulatory requirements. If approved in a jurisdiction, PALI-2108 may also require the completion of post-market studies. The process of completing clinical testing and obtaining the required approvals is expected to take a number of years and require the use of substantial resources. Further, there can be no assurance that PALI-2108 will be shown to be safe and effective throughout our clinical trials or receive applicable regulatory approvals.
On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion holding that courts reviewing agency action pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act “must exercise their independent judgment” and “may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous.” The decision will have a significant impact on how lower courts evaluate challenges to agency interpretations of law, including those by the FDA and other agencies with significant oversight of the biopharmaceutical industry. The new framework is likely to increase both the frequency of such challenges and their odds of success by eliminating one way in which the government previously prevailed in such cases. As a result, significant regulatory policies will be subject to increased litigation and judicial scrutiny.
If we fail to obtain regulatory approvals, or if there are significant changes in regulatory policies that result in increased litigation and judicial scrutiny leading to unexpected delays and increased cost, we may not be able to market PALI-2108 and our operations will be adversely affected.
If clinical studies of PALI-2108 do not yield successful results, we may discontinue the development of PALI-2108.
We must demonstrate that PALI-2108 is safe and efficacious in humans through extensive clinical testing. We may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, the testing process that could delay or prevent commercialization of any products, including the following:
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the results of preclinical studies that we have completed may not be indicative of results that will be obtained in human clinical trials;
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safety and efficacy results attained in preclinical studies may not be indicative of results that are obtained in our clinical trials;
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after reviewing early clinical trial results, we may abandon projects that we previously believed to be promising;
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we or our regulators may suspend or terminate our clinical trials because the participating subjects or patients are being exposed to unacceptable health risks; and
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PALI-2108 may not have the desired effects or may include undesirable side effects or other characteristics that preclude regulatory approval or limit their commercial use if approved.
It may take us longer than we estimate to complete clinical trials, and we may not be able to complete them at all.
Although for planning purposes we project the commencement, continuation and completion of our clinical trials; a number of factors, including scheduling conflicts with participating researchers and/or CROs, clinicians and research or clinical institutions, and difficulties in identifying or enrolling patients who meet trial eligibility criteria, may cause significant delays. Even if we were to commence and complete our clinical trials involving PALI-2108 as currently contemplated, they may not be successful.
Even if PALI-2108 is approved for commercialization, future regulatory reviews or inspections may result in its suspension or withdrawal, closure of a facility or substantial fines.
If regulatory approval to market and commercialize PALI-2108 is received, regulatory agencies will subject PALI-2108, as well as the manufacturing facilities, to continual review and periodic inspection. If previously unknown problems with a product or manufacturing and laboratory facility are discovered, or we fail to comply with applicable regulatory approval requirements, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions on PALI-2108 or us. The agency may require the withdrawal of PALI-2108 from the market, closure of the facility or substantial fines.
The successful commercialization of PALI-2108, if approved, will depend in part on the extent to which government authorities and health insurers establish adequate reimbursement levels and pricing policies.
Sales of any approved drug candidate will depend in part on the availability of coverage and reimbursement from third-party payers such as government insurance programs in the applicable jurisdiction, including, for example, Medicare and Medicaid in the U.S., private health insurers, health maintenance organizations and other health care related organizations, who are increasingly challenging the price of medical products and services. Accordingly, coverage and reimbursement may be uncertain. Adoption of any drug by the medical community may be limited if third-party payers will not offer coverage. Additionally, significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved drugs. Cost control initiatives may decrease coverage and payment levels for any drug and, in turn, the price that we will be able to charge and/or the volume of our sales. We are unable to predict all changes to the coverage or reimbursement methodologies that will be applied by private or government payers. Any denial of private or government payer coverage or inadequate reimbursement could harm our business or future revenues, if any. If we partner with third parties with respect to any of our product candidates, we may be reliant on that partner to obtain reimbursement from government and private payors for the drug, if approved, and any failure of that partner to establish adequate reimbursement could have a negative impact on our revenues and profitability.
In addition, both the federal and state governments in the U.S. and foreign governments continue to propose and pass new legislation, regulations, and policies affecting coverage and reimbursement rates, which are designed to contain or reduce the cost of health care. Further federal and state proposals and healthcare reforms are likely, which could limit the prices that can be charged for the product candidates that we develop and may further limit our commercial opportunity. There may be future changes that result in reductions in potential coverage and reimbursement levels for our product candidates, if approved and commercialized, and we cannot predict the scope of any future changes or the impact that those changes would have on our operations.
If future reimbursement for PALI-2108, subject to approval, is substantially less than projected, or rebate obligations associated with them are substantially greater than expected, our future net revenue and profitability, if any, could be materially diminished.
We face potential product liability exposure, and if successful claims are brought against us, we may incur substantial liability for a product candidate and we may need to limit our commercialization.
The use of our product candidates in clinical trials and the sale of any products for which we obtain marketing approval exposes us to the risk of product liability claims. Product liability claims might be brought against us by clinical trial participants, consumers, health-care providers, pharmaceutical companies, or others selling our products. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against these claims, we may incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcomes of such claims, product liability claims may result in:
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decreased demand for our product candidates;
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impairment of our business reputation;
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withdrawal of clinical trial participants;
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substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants; and
Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to reimburse us for all expenses or losses we may suffer. Moreover, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive, and, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses.
Even if a product candidate obtains regulatory approval, it may fail to achieve the broad degree of physician and patient adoption and use necessary for commercial success.
The commercial success of our product candidates, if approved, will depend significantly on attaining broad adoption and use of the drug by physicians and patients. The degree and rate of physician and patient adoption of a product, if approved, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
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patient demand for approved products that treat the indication for which they are approved;
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the effectiveness of a product compared to other available therapies or treatment regimens;
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the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from managed care plans and other healthcare payors;
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the cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments and willingness to pay on the part of patients;
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insurers’ willingness to see the applicable indication as a disease worth treating;
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proper administration by physicians or patients;
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patient satisfaction with the results, administration and overall treatment experience;
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limitations or contraindications, warnings, precautions or approved indications for use different than those sought by us that are contained in the final approved labeling;
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any requirement of an authoritative regulatory body to undertake a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy;
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the effectiveness of our sales, marketing, pricing, reimbursement and access, government affairs, and distribution efforts;
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adverse publicity about a product or favorable publicity about competitive products;
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new government regulations and programs, including price controls and/or limits or prohibitions on ways to commercialize drugs, such as increased scrutiny on direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals; and
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potential product liability claims or other product-related litigation.
If any of our product candidates are approved for use but fail to achieve the broad degree of physician and patient adoption necessary for commercial success, our operating results and financial condition will be adversely affected, which may delay, prevent or limit our ability to generate revenue and continue our business.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a limited operating history and have never generated any revenues from product sales.
We are a biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history that may make it difficult to evaluate the success of our business and to assess our future viability. While we were initially formed in 2001, our operations have historically been limited to business planning, raising capital and other research and development activities related to our product candidates. We additionally adopted a new business plan in September of 2023 upon entering into the Giiant License Agreement. Since that time, we have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete any clinical trials and have never completed the development of any product candidate, nor have we ever generated any revenue from product sales. Consequently, we have no meaningful operations upon which to evaluate our business, and predictions about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history or a history of successfully developing and commercializing biopharmaceutical products.
Our business model assumes revenue from, among other activities, marketing or out-licensing the products we develop. PALI-2108 is in the early stages of clinical development and because we have a short development history with PALI-2108, there is a limited amount of information about us upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects.
We have no approved drugs and thus have not begun to market or generate revenues from the commercialization of any products. We only have a limited history upon which we can evaluate our ability to develop PALI-2108. We commenced our initial Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108 in November of 2024. While we have announced positive results from the SAD, MAD and FE cohorts in healthy volunteers and have dosed our first patients in an exploratory Phase 1b cohort in FSCD, we have limited experience and have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully overcome many of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in new and rapidly evolving fields, particularly in the biopharmaceutical area.
For example, to execute our business plan, we will need to:
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execute product development activities using unproven technologies;
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build, maintain, and protect a strong intellectual property portfolio;
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Demonstrate safety and efficacy of our drug candidates in multiple human clinical studies;
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receive approval from Health Canada and/or approval from similar foreign regulatory bodies, such as the FDA;
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retain qualified CROs to oversee and manage the continued development of PALI-2108 through current and future clinical trials;
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gain market acceptance for the development and commercialization of any drugs we develop;
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ensure our products are reimbursed by commercial and/or government payors at a rate that permits commercial viability;
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develop and maintain successful strategic relationships with suppliers, distributors, and commercial licensing partners;
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manage our spending and cash requirements as our expenses will increase in the near term if we add programs and additional preclinical and clinical trials; and
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effectively market any products for which we obtain marketing approval.
If we are unsuccessful in accomplishing these objectives, we may not be able to develop our proposed products, raise capital, expand our business or continue our operations.
Our success depends on attracting and retaining senior management and scientists with relevant expertise.
Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued services of our key employees, including our senior scientific, technical and managerial personnel. We do not maintain key person life insurance for any of our executives. Competition for qualified employees in the pharmaceutical industry is high, and our ability to execute our strategy will depend in part on our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified scientists and management. If we are unable to find, hire, and retain qualified individuals, we may be unable to execute our business plan in a timely manner, if at all.
We may choose to discontinue development or commercialization any of our product candidates, or may choose not to commercialize product candidates in approved indications, at any time during development or after approval, which could adversely affect us and our operations.
At any time, we may decide to discontinue the development of, or temporarily pause the development of, any of our product candidates then in existence for a variety of reasons, including the appearance of new technologies that make our product candidates obsolete, competition from competing product(s) or changes in or failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements. If we temporarily pause or terminate a program in which we have invested significant resources, we will not receive any return on our investment and we will have missed the opportunity to have allocated those resources to potentially more productive uses, which could have an adverse effect on us and our business.
Our inability to successfully in-license, acquire, develop and market additional product candidates or approved products could impair our ability to grow our business.
PALI-2108 is currently our only product candidate being actively developed. We may in-license, acquire, develop and market additional products and product candidates. Since our internal research and development capabilities are limited, we may be dependent on pharmaceutical companies, academic or government scientists and other researchers to sell or license products or technology to us. The success of this strategy depends partly on our ability to identify and select promising pharmaceutical product candidates and approved products, negotiate licensing or acquisition agreements with their current owners, and finance these arrangements.
The process of identifying, negotiating and implementing a license or acquisition of a product candidate or approved product is lengthy and complex. Other companies, including some with substantially greater financial, marketing, sales and other resources, may compete with us for the license or acquisition of product candidates and approved products. Moreover, we may devote resources to potential acquisitions or licensing opportunities that are never completed, or we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such efforts. We may not be able to acquire the rights to additional approved products or product candidates on terms that we find acceptable, or at all.
Further, any product candidate that we acquire or license may require additional development efforts prior to commercial sale, including preclinical or clinical testing and approval by the applicable regulatory authorities. All product candidates are prone to risks of failure typical of pharmaceutical product development, including the possibility that a product candidate will not be shown to be sufficiently safe and effective for approval by regulatory authorities. In addition, we cannot provide assurance that any approved products that we acquire will be manufactured or sold profitably or achieve market acceptance.
Changes in funding for the FDA and, other government agencies or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, or otherwise prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner or otherwise prevent these agencies or authorities from performing normal business functions on which the operations of our business may rely, which could negatively impact our business.
The ability of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to review and approve new products, to provide feedback on clinical trials and development programs, to meet with sponsors and to otherwise review regulatory submissions can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, the sufficiency of user fees, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies or comparable foreign regulatory authorities on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Disruptions at the FDA and other, other government agencies or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business. For example, over the last several years, the U.S. government has shut down several times, including most recently on October 1, 2025 (the October 2025 Shutdown), and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical employees from the FDA, SEC, and other government offices, halting critical activities. If the October 2025 Shutdown continues, or if another prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA and other governmental agencies to review and process our regulatory submissions in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, in our operations as a public company, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations.
Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties
We anticipate relying on third-party CROs and other third parties to conduct and oversee our clinical trials. If these third parties do not meet our requirements or otherwise conduct the trials as required, we may not be able to satisfy our contractual obligations for obtain regulatory approval for, or commercialize our product candidates.
We have retained a CRO to oversee our Phase 1 clinical trial for PALI-2108 in Canada. We are likely to rely on third-party CROs to conduct and oversee our other anticipated clinical trials and other aspects of product development. We also expect to rely on various medical institutions, clinical investigators and contract laboratories to conduct our trials in accordance with our clinical protocols and all applicable regulatory requirements, including the FDA’s regulations and GCP requirements, which are an international standard meant to protect the rights and health of patients and to define the roles of clinical trial sponsors, administrators and monitors, and state regulations governing the handling, storage, security and recordkeeping for drug and biologic products. These CROs and other third parties are expected to play a significant role in the conduct of these trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data from the clinical trials. We expect to rely heavily on these parties for the execution of our clinical trials and any additionally required preclinical studies and will control only certain aspects of their activities. We and our CROs and other third-party contractors will be required to comply with GCP and GLP regulations, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities, such as Health Canada, with respect to our Phase 1 clinical trial for PALI-2108. Regulatory authorities enforce these GCP or GLP regulations through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, principal investigators and trial sites. If we or any of these third parties fail to comply with applicable GCP and GLP regulations, or reveal noncompliance from an audit or inspection, any clinical data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable, and the FDA or other regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our or our partners’ marketing applications. We cannot assure that upon inspection by a given regulatory authority such regulatory authority will determine whether any of our clinical trials comply with applicable GCP or GLP regulations. In addition, our clinical trials generally must be conducted with compounds produced under cGMP regulations. Our failure to comply with these regulations and policies may require us to repeat clinical trials, which would be costly and delay the regulatory approval process. In the event that we are unable to retain a qualified CRO for our Phase 1 clinical trial for PALI-2108, or any other anticipated clinical trial, it would delay planned clinical operations and result in additional cost and expense. Additionally, if our current CRO for our Phase 1 clinical trial in Canada or if any of our CROs that we retain in the future were to terminate their involvement with us, there is no assurance that we would be able to enter into arrangements with alternative CROs or do so on commercially reasonable terms.
We depend on two qualified suppliers for the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the clinical trials of PALI-2108. Insufficient availability of the API or other raw materials necessary to manufacture PALI-2108, or the inability of our suppliers to manufacture and supply our products on commercially reasonable terms, could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We have two qualified suppliers for the API used in PALI-2108. We do not have, and we do not intend to establish in the foreseeable future, internal manufacturing capabilities. Instead, we intend to use the facilities of third-party manufacturers to produce the materials used in our clinical trials. Our dependence on third parties for the supply and manufacture of PALI-2108 and any future product candidates may adversely affect our ability to obtain our products in a timely or competitive manner, if at all.
Any supply shortages, quality concerns, or failure to obtain sufficient API, excipients, or components from our suppliers, including disruptions caused by, among other things, supply chain delays, public health emergencies, climate events, or political unrest would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In particular, our suppliers may be impacted by epidemics, pandemics or other disease outbreaks or public health emergencies and general macroeconomic conditions, including inflationary pressures, economic slowdown or recession, relatively high interest rates, imposed tariffs, changes in monetary policy, potential U.S. federal government shutdowns, geopolitical conflicts and financial institution instability, all of which may result in supply delays and cost increases.
The manufacturing process for pharmaceutical products is highly regulated, and regulatory agencies may from time to time shut down facilities that they believe do not comply with regulations. Our third-party manufacturers and suppliers are subject to numerous FDA and Health Canada regulations, including those governing manufacturing processes, stability testing, record keeping, product serialization, and quality standards. Similar regulations apply in other jurisdictions where we may conduct business. Our third-party manufacturers and suppliers are independent entities who are subject to their own operational and financial risks which are out of our control.
If we, our third-party manufacturers, or our suppliers fail to comply with these regulations, our ability to deliver adequate supplies of PALI-2108 for clinical trials in a timely and cost-effective manner may be adversely affected. Should any of these risks materialize and adversely affect such third-party manufacturers’ and/or suppliers’ performance obligations to us, and we are unable to secure sufficient of the API used in the manufacture of PALI-2108 on commercially acceptable terms, or if we encounter delays and difficulties in our relationships with manufacturers or suppliers, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We expect to rely on collaborations with third parties for the successful development and commercialization of our product candidates.
We currently rely on and expect to continue to rely upon the efforts of third parties for the successful development and commercialization of our product candidates. The clinical and commercial success of our product candidates may depend upon maintaining successful relationships with third-party partners, which are subject to a number of significant risks, including the following:
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our partners’ ability to execute their responsibilities in a timely, cost-efficient and compliant manner;
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reduced control over delivery and manufacturing schedules;
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manufacturing deviations from internal or regulatory specifications;
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the failure of partners to perform their obligations for technical, market or other reasons;
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misappropriation of our product candidates; and
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other risks in potentially meeting our product commercialization schedule or satisfying the requirements of our end-users.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to establish or maintain third-party relationships in order to successfully develop and commercialize our product candidates.
We currently rely on third-party contractors to supply, manufacture and distribute clinical drug supplies for our product candidates.
We do not currently have, nor do we currently plan to acquire, the infrastructure or capability to supply, store, manufacture or distribute clinical or commercial quantities of drug substances or products. Although we have entered into a commercial supply agreement to provide us with such drug substances or products for our current Phase 1 clinical trial, our future ability to develop and commercialize, if approved, our product candidates is dependent on our ability to obtain the APIs and other substances and materials used in our product candidates successfully from third parties and to have finished products manufactured by third parties in accordance with regulatory requirements and in sufficient quantities for preclinical and clinical testing and commercialization. If we fail to develop and maintain supply and other technical relationships with these third parties, we may be unable to continue to develop or commercialize our products and product candidates, which could adversely affect us and our business.
We are dependent on our contract suppliers and manufacturers for day-to-day compliance with applicable laws and cGMP regulations for production of our proposed products and API. If the safety or quality of any product or product candidate or component is compromised due to a failure to adhere to applicable laws or for other reasons, we may not be able to commercialize or obtain regulatory approval for the affected product or product candidates successfully, and we may be held liable as a result.
We expect to continue to depend on third-party contract suppliers and manufacturers. Our supply and manufacturing agreements do not guarantee that a contract supplier or manufacturer will provide services adequate for our needs. Additionally, any damage to or destruction of our third-party manufacturers’ or suppliers’ facilities or equipment, even by force majeure, may significantly impair our ability to have our products and product candidates manufactured on a timely basis. Our reliance on contract manufacturers and suppliers further exposes us to the possibility that they, or third parties with access to their facilities, may misappropriate our trade secrets or other proprietary information. Furthermore, the manufacturing facilities of our suppliers are located outside of the U.S. This may give rise to difficulties in importing our products or product candidates or their components into the U.S. or other countries.
We currently have agreements in place with foreign third parties in China and other countries to provide the necessary clinical supply of our API.
Termination of or limitations on our relationships with foreign third parties that manufacture the API used in PALI-2108 may arise if U.S. legislation, tariffs, sanctions, trade restrictions, or other U.S. and foreign regulatory requirements, or prohibitions restrict our ability to engage with these foreign third parties. Further, any such actions could adversely impact our current and future arrangements with our foreign suppliers, including our current Chinese drug manufacturer, which could increase the cost or reduce the supply of material available to us or delay the procurement or supply of such material used in our clinical trial.
Risks Related to Our Financial Operations
We have a history of net losses, and we expect to continue to incur net losses and may never achieve profitability.
We have incurred net losses since our inception. We expect that our operating losses will continue for the foreseeable future as we continue our drug development and discovery efforts. To achieve profitability, we must, either directly or through licensing and/or partnering relationships, meet certain milestones, successfully develop and obtain regulatory approval for one or more drug candidates and effectively manufacture, market and sell any drugs we successfully develop. Even if we are able to successfully commercialize product candidates that receive regulatory approval, we may not be able to realize revenues at a level that would allow us to achieve or sustain profitability. Accordingly, we may never generate significant revenue and, even if we generate significant revenue, we may never achieve profitability.
Failure to remediate a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements.
Our management has identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness was due to a lack of controls in the financial closing and reporting process, including a lack of segregation of duties and the documentation and design of formalized processes and procedures surrounding the creation and posting of journal entries and account reconciliations.
If our remaining material weakness, which management concluded is still present as of the date of these financial statements, is not remediated, or if we identify further material weaknesses in our internal controls, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
We may not be able to obtain, maintain or enforce global patent rights or other intellectual property rights that cover our product candidates and technologies that are of sufficient breadth to prevent third parties from competing against us.
Our success with respect to our current and future product candidates will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection in both the U.S. and other countries, to preserve our trade secrets and to prevent third parties from infringing on our proprietary rights. Our ability to protect our product candidates from unauthorized or infringing use by third parties depends in substantial part on our ability to obtain and maintain valid and enforceable patents in certain countries.
The patent application process, also known as patent prosecution, is expensive and time-consuming, and we and our current or future licensors and licensees may not be able to prepare, file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner in all the countries that are desirable. It is also possible that we or our current, or future licensors and licensees will fail to identify patentable aspects of inventions made in the course of development and commercialization activities before it is too late to obtain patent protection on them. Therefore, these and any of our patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. Moreover, our competitors independently may develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how or discover workarounds to our patents that would not constitute infringement. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to enforce the exclusivity of any issued or pending patents we may have or the ability to obtain future patent protections, which may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our ability to obtain, maintain and/or enforce patents is uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions, especially across varying countries. Accordingly, rights under any existing patents or any patents we might obtain or license may not cover our product candidates or may not provide us with sufficient protection for our product candidates to afford a sustainable commercial advantage against competitive products or processes, including those from branded, generic and over-the-counter pharmaceutical companies. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any patents or other intellectual property rights will be issued from any pending or future patent or other similar applications owned by or licensed to us. Even if patents or other intellectual property rights have issued or will issue, we cannot guarantee that the claims of these patents and other rights are or will be held valid or enforceable by the courts, through injunction or otherwise, or will provide us with any significant protection against competitive products or otherwise be commercially valuable to us in every country of commercial significance that we may target.
Our ability to obtain and maintain valid and enforceable patents depends on whether the differences between our technology and prior art make it patentable. We do not have outstanding issued patents covering all of the recent developments in our technology and we are unsure of the patent protection that we will be successful in obtaining, if any. Even if the patents are successfully issued, third parties may design around or challenge the validity, enforceability or scope of such issued patents or any other issued patents we own or license, which may result in such patents being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable. If the breadth or strength of protection provided by the patents we hold or pursue with respect to our product candidates are challenged, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to develop or threaten our ability to commercialize or finance our product candidates.
The laws of some foreign jurisdictions do not provide intellectual property rights to the same extent or duration as in the U.S., and many companies have encountered significant difficulties in acquiring, maintaining, protecting, defending and especially enforcing such rights in foreign jurisdictions. If we encounter such difficulties in protecting or are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions, our business prospects could be substantially harmed, especially internationally.
Proprietary trade secrets and unpatented know-how are also very important to our business. Although we have taken steps to protect our trade secrets and unpatented know-how by entering into confidentiality agreements with third parties, and intellectual property assignment and protection agreements with officers, directors, employees, and certain consultants and advisors, there can be no assurance that such agreements will not be breached or enforced by courts, that we would have adequate remedies for any breach, including injunctive and other equitable relief, or that our trade secrets and unpatented know-how will not otherwise become known, inadvertently disclosed by us or our agents and representatives, or be independently discovered by our competitors. If our trade secrets are independently discovered, we would not be able to prevent their use and if we or our agents or representatives inadvertently disclose trade secrets and/or unpatented know-how, we may not be allowed to retrieve these trade secrets and/or unpatented know-how and maintain the exclusivity we previously held.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on our product candidates does not guarantee exclusivity. The requirements for patentability vary between countries, particularly developing nations. In addition, the laws of some countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of all other countries or jurisdictions, especially when it comes to granting use and other types of patents and what kind of enforcement rights will be allowed, especially injunctive relief in a civil infringement proceeding. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from using our inventions or even in launching an identical version of our product even if we hold a valid patent. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection, or they may produce copy products, and, further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection but enforcement against such activities is inadequate or where we have no patents. These products could compete with ours, and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not prevent them from competing.
Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment, and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
Periodic maintenance and annuity fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to applicable patent agencies, which require compliance with a number of procedures, including certain documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees in prescribed time periods, and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents in the format and style the country requires. While an inadvertent lapse can, in many cases, be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction just for failure to know about and/or timely pay a prosecution fee. If we or our licensors fail to maintain the patents and patent applications covering our product candidates for any reason, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would have an adverse effect on our business.
If we fail to comply with our obligations under our intellectual property license agreements, we could lose license rights that are important to our business.
The Giiant License Agreement pursuant to which we license PALI-2108, and other assets of Giiant, contains certain requirements related to diligence, milestone, royalty, insurance, expense reimbursement, and other obligations. If we fail to comply with these obligations, Giiant may have the ability to terminate the license, subject to certain requirements as more fully set forth in the Giiant License Agreement.
If the license granted thereunder were to be terminated, our business, financial condition, operating results, and prospects would be materially adversely affected.
We may be subject to patent infringement claims, which could result in substantial costs and liabilities, and could prevent us from commercializing our potential products.
Because the intellectual property landscape in the fields in which we participate is rapidly evolving and interdisciplinary, it is difficult to conclusively assess our freedom to operate without infringing on third-party rights. If any patent infringement claims are brought against us, regardless of whether successful, we may incur significant expenses and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from other business concerns. This could negatively affect our results of operations and prospects. We cannot be certain that patents owned or licensed by us will not be challenged, potentially successfully, by others.
In addition, if our product candidates are found to infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, these third parties may assert infringement claims against our customers, licensees and other parties with whom we have business relationships, and we may be required to indemnify those parties for any damages they suffer as a result of such claims. The claims may require us to initiate or defend protracted and costly litigation on behalf of customers, licensees, and other parties regardless of the merits of these claims. If any of these claims succeed, we may be forced to pay damages on behalf of those parties or may be required to obtain licenses for the products they use. If we cannot obtain all necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, we may be unable to continue selling such products.
We may be subject to claims that our officers, directors, employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed to us alleged trade secrets of their former employers or their former or current customers.
As is common in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, certain of our employees were formerly employed by other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Moreover, we engage the services of consultants to assist us in the development of our product candidates, many of whom were previously employed at, or may have previously been or are currently providing consulting services to, other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. We may be subject to claims that our employees or consultants have inadvertently or otherwise wrongfully used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers or their former or current customers. Although we have no knowledge of any such claims being alleged, if such claims were to arise, litigation may be necessary to defend against any such claims. Even if we are successful in defending against any such claims, the related litigation could be protracted, expensive, a distraction to our management team, and not viewed favorably by investors and other third parties.
Other Risks Related to Our Securities
We will need to raise additional financing in the future to fund our operations, which may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all.
We have used and we intend to use the proceeds from our previous offerings and any future offerings, to, among other things, advance PALI-2108 through preclinical and clinical development and into INDs or their equivalent in foreign jurisdictions, fund our research and development activities, and for general working capital needs. We will require substantial additional capital to fund our operations and conduct the costly and time-consuming research and development and clinical work necessary to pursue regulatory approval of product candidates. Our future capital requirements will depend upon a number of factors, including: the number and timing of product candidates in the pipeline; progress with and results from preclinical testing and clinical trials; the ability to manufacture sufficient drug supplies to complete clinical trials or any additional preclinical studies required; the costs involved in preparing, filing, acquiring, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent and other intellectual property claims; and the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals and favorable reimbursement or formulary acceptance. Raising additional capital may be costly or difficult to obtain, which could inhibit our ability to achieve our business objectives. Given our limited cash reserves and the significant amount of capital that we will likely need to fund our operations and business plan, our stockholders will likely experience significant dilution to their ownership interests. If we raise additional funds through public or private equity sales of our securities, the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely impact the rights of our common stockholders. Further, to the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, our stockholders’ ownership percentage will be decreased. In addition, any debt financing may subject us to fixed payment obligations and covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances, or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may need to relinquish certain valuable intellectual property or other rights to our product candidates, technologies, future revenue streams or research programs or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
Even if we obtain additional funding, there can be no assurance that it will be available on terms acceptable to us or our stockholders.
Our common stock price may be highly volatile.
Since the completion of the merger with Seneca on April 27, 2021, the price of our common stock has been subject to significant fluctuation. Market prices for securities of biotechnology and other life sciences companies historically have been particularly volatile and may be subject to large daily price swings. Some of the factors that may cause the market price of our shares to fluctuate include, but are not limited to:
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failure of our product candidates to show safety and/or efficacy in our clinical trials;
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our ability to obtain timely regulatory approvals for our product candidates, and delays or failures to obtain such approvals;
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the results of our clinical trials, including our decision to pause or terminate any such trials;
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failure of our product candidates, if approved, to achieve commercial success;
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the entry into, or termination of, or breach by partners of key agreements, including the Giiant License Agreement, and employment agreements with our named executive officers;
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the initiation of, material developments in, or conclusion of any litigation to enforce or defend any intellectual property rights or defend against the intellectual property rights of others;
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announcements of any financings;
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announcements by commercial partners or competitors of new commercial products, clinical progress or the lack of, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;
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failure to elicit meaningful stock analyst coverage and downgrades of our stock by analysts; and
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the loss of key personnel.
Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility in the biotechnology industry, particularly in the micro-cap and nano-cap companies, that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies or a certain industry segment. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of our shares. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
Our common stock could be delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market if we are unable to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing standards.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). There are a number of continued listing requirements that we must satisfy in order to maintain our listing on Nasdaq, including the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of at least $1.00 (the “Bid Price Rule”). In October of 2023, we were notified that we were no longer in compliance with the Bid Price Rule and had 180 days to cure such deficiency. On April 5, 2024, we effected a 1-for-15 reverse stock split and we were notified by the Nasdaq that as of April 19, 2024, we were back in compliance with the Bid Price Rule. On April 30, 2025, we received notice (the “Notice”) from Nasdaq advising us that for 30 consecutive trading days preceding the date of the Notice, the bid price of our common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). The Notice has no effect on the listing of our common stock, and our common stock continued to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “PALI.” Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we had 180 calendar days following the date of the Notice, or until October 27, 2025, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement (the “Compliance Period”) by maintaining a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days unless Nasdaq exercises its discretion to extend this ten-day period. On August 5, 2025, the bid price of our common stock did close above $1.00 for 10 consecutive days, however, we were notified on August 6, 2025 that Nasdaq was exercising its discretion to continue monitoring our stock price beyond this ten-day period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H). As of October 15, 2025, the bid price of our common stock again closed above $1.00 for 10 consecutive days and we received a minimum bid price compliance letter from Nasdaq confirming that we regained compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), and that the matter is now closed.
We can provide no assurances that we will continue to comply with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or the other continued listing requirements of Nasdaq. The delisting of our common stock by Nasdaq could adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock, our ability to raise capital, create increased volatility in our common stock, and result in a loss of current or future coverage by analysts and/or diminish the interest of institutional investors to invest in our common stock. Delisting could also result in a loss of confidence of our collaborators, vendors and employees, which could harm our business and future prospects. If our common stock is delisted by Nasdaq, our common stock may be eligible to trade on the OTC Bulletin Board, OTCQB, OTCQX, or another over-the-counter market. Any such alternative would likely result in it being more difficult for us to raise additional capital through the public or private sale of equity securities and for investors to dispose of or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock. Moreover, if our common stock is delisted, it may come within the definition of “penny stock” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. These requirements may reduce the trading activity in the secondary markets for our common stock and may impact the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell our securities which could limit the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the public market and limit our ability to attract and retain qualified employees or raise additional capital in the future.
We take advantage of reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies, which could result in our common stock being less attractive to investors.
As of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, our public float was less than $250 million and therefore, we qualify as a smaller reporting company under SEC rules. As a smaller reporting company, we can take advantage of reduced disclosure requirements, such as simplified executive compensation disclosures and reduced financial statement disclosure requirements in our SEC filings. Such reduced disclosures in our SEC filings may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We may take advantage of the reporting exemptions applicable to a smaller reporting company until we are no longer a smaller reporting company, which status would end once we have a public float greater than $250 million. In that event, we could still be a smaller reporting company if our annual revenues are below $100 million and we have a public float of less than $700 million.
We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently plan to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our shares will likely be the sole source of gain, if any, for our stockholders for the foreseeable future.
If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports, or publish unfavorable research or reports, about us, our business or our market, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock is and will be influenced by reports that equity research analysts publish about us and our business. Equity research analysts may elect not to provide research coverage of our common stock, and such lack of research coverage may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In the event we do have equity research analyst coverage, we will not have any control over the analysts, or the content and opinions included in their reports. The price of our common stock could decline if one or more equity research analysts downgrades our stock or issues other unfavorable commentary or research. If one or more equity research analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the possibility that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Future sales in the public market of shares of our common stock, including shares issued upon exercise of our outstanding stock options or warrants, or the perception by the market that these sales could occur, could lower the market price of our common stock or make it difficult for us to raise additional capital.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Certificate of Incorporation”), and bylaws, as amended (“Bylaws”) may delay or prevent an acquisition or a change in management. In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits stockholders owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us. Although we believe these provisions collectively will provide for an opportunity to receive higher bids by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our Board of Directors ("Board" or "Board of Directors"), they would apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders. In addition, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of the Board, which is responsible for appointing the members of management.
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filing for that year, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This has required that we incur substantial professional fees and internal costs to expand our accounting and finance functions and that we expend significant management efforts. We may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner.
Our management identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we do not remediate this material weakness, or if we identify further material weaknesses in our internal controls, our failure to establish and maintain effective internal financial and accounting controls and procedures could result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations.
If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate consolidated financial statements. If that were to happen, the market price of our common stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
Our Board has broad discretion to issue additional securities, which might dilute the net tangible book value per share of our common stock for existing stockholders.
We are entitled under our Certificate of Incorporation to issue up to 280,000,000 shares of common stock and 7,000,000 “blank check” shares of preferred stock. Shares of our blank check preferred stock provide our Board with broad authority to determine voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such preferred stock. As of September 30, 2025, we had outstanding, common stock or securities convertible into common stock, totaling 18,674,350 shares. As a result, we are authorized to issue up to an additional 261,325,650 shares of common stock or common stock equivalents under our Certificate of Incorporation. Additionally, pursuant to the initial issuance of (i) 1,000,000 shares of Series A 4.5% Convertible Preferred Stock, of which 200,000 shares are outstanding and (ii) 1,460 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, of which no shares are outstanding, we are authorized to issue up to an additional 6,800,000 shares of preferred stock. We expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders will likely experience substantial dilution. We may sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner that we determine from time to time. If we sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in more than one transaction, investors will likely be materially diluted by the initial and subsequent sales. Additionally, new investors may gain rights superior to existing stockholders, depending on the terms of such transactions and types of securities. Pursuant to our equity incentive plans and employee stock purchase plan, management is authorized to grant stock options, restricted stock units and other equity-based awards to employees, directors and consultants, and to sell common stock to employees, respectively. Any increase in the number of shares outstanding as a result of the exercise of outstanding options, the vesting or settlement of outstanding stock awards, or the purchase of shares pursuant to the employee stock purchase plan will cause stockholders to experience additional dilution, which could cause our stock price to fall.
General Risk Factors
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of health pandemics or epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which could cause significant disruptions in our operations and those of our current or future CMOs, CROs, and other third parties upon whom we rely.
Health pandemics or epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have in the past and could again in the future result in quarantines, stay-at-home orders, remote work policies, or other similar events that may disrupt businesses, delay our research and development programs and timelines, negatively impact productivity and increase risks associated with cybersecurity, the future magnitude of which will depend, in part, on the length and severity of the restrictions and other limitations. More specifically, these types of events may negatively impact personnel at third-party manufacturing facilities or the availability or cost of materials, which could disrupt our supply chain. Moreover, our trials may be negatively affected. Clinical site initiation and patient enrollment may be delayed due to prioritization of hospital resources. Some patients may not be able or willing to comply with trial protocols if quarantines impede patient movement or interrupt healthcare services. Our ability to recruit and retain patients, principal investigators, and site staff (who as healthcare providers may have heightened exposure) may be hindered, which would adversely affect our trial operations. Disruptions or restrictions on our ability to travel to monitor data from our trials, or to conduct trials, or the ability of patients enrolled in our trials or staff at trial sites to travel, as well as temporary closures of our trial partners and CMOs’ facilities, would negatively impact our trial activities. In addition, we rely on independent clinical investigators, CROs, and other third-party service providers to assist us in managing, monitoring, and otherwise carrying out certain of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including the collection of data from our trials, and the effects of health pandemics or epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may affect their ability to devote sufficient time and resources to our programs or to travel to sites to perform work for us. Similarly, our trials could be delayed and/or disrupted. As a result, the expected timeline for data readouts, including incompleteness in data collection and analysis and other related activities, and certain regulatory filings may be negatively impacted, which would adversely affect our ability to obtain regulatory approval for and to commercialize our product candidates, increase our operating expenses, and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. In addition, impact on the operations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could negatively affect our planned trials and approval processes. Finally, economic conditions and business activity may be negatively impacted and may not recover as quickly as anticipated.
Global economic conditions may have an adverse effect on our business.
Financial instability or a general decline in economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries, caused by political instability, conflict, and economic challenges resulting from general health crises, has led to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital market instability, and supply chain interruptions. Such volatility, instability, and interruptions have contributed to record inflation globally and could adversely affect our operations. Increased inflation may result in higher operating costs (including labor costs), reduced liquidity, and limitations on our ability to access credit or raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all. Existing free trade laws and regulations, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, provide certain beneficial duties and tariffs for qualifying imports and exports, subject to compliance with applicable classification and other requirements. However, changes in trade laws or policies, particularly increased trade restrictions, tariffs, or taxes on imports from countries where we manufacture products, such as Canada, China, and Mexico, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. Since February of 2025, the U.S. government has enacted, and continues to enact, a series of new tariffs, including a tariff on all imports and additional “reciprocal” tariffs targeting imports from specified countries. These tariffs and other changes in U.S. trade policy have triggered, and could continue to trigger, retaliatory actions by affected countries, including retaliatory measures on U.S. goods and other protectionist measures that could limit our ability to offer our products and services outside of the U.S. The tariff policy environment has been and can be expected to continue to be dynamic. The ultimate impact of these newly enacted and potential future tariffs or other restrictions on international trade will depend on various factors, including the ultimate levels of such tariffs, how long such tariffs remain in place, and how other countries respond to the U.S. tariffs. Consequently, we cannot assure that any strategies we implement to mitigate the effects of such tariffs or trade actions will be successful. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve has raised, and may continue to raise, interest rates in response to concerns about inflation. Inflation, combined with reduced government spending and volatility in financial markets, may further increase economic uncertainty and heighten associated risks. Economic conditions and uncertainty regarding the broader macroeconomic environment are beyond our control and may make obtaining necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, costly, and dilutive. While we believe we have adequate capital resources to meet current working capital and capital expenditure requirements, an economic downturn or a significant increase in expenses could necessitate additional financing under less favorable conditions, including unattractive interest rates or excessively dilutive terms for existing stockholders. Failure to secure necessary financing in a timely manner and on favorable terms could materially and adversely affect our stock price and force us to delay or abandon clinical development plans.
Inadequate funding for the FDA, the SEC and other government agencies, including from government shutdowns, or other disruptions to these agencies’ operations, could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner or otherwise prevent those agencies from performing normal business functions on which the operation of our business may rely, which could negatively impact our business.
The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, the ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of the SEC and other government agencies on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities, is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new product candidates to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which could adversely affect our business. If there are significant employee reductions at the FDA or a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, future reductions in force and government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations. For example, over the last several years the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical employees and stop critical activities. Currently, federal agencies in the U.S. are operating under a continuing resolution that is set to expire on September 30, 2025. In addition, federal employees recently have been subject to termination in connection with cost reduction efforts by the federal government. If a prolonged government shutdown or significant reduction in force of federal employees occurs, including those working for the FDA, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, future government shutdowns and cost-cutting efforts could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations.
For example, over the last several years, the U.S. government has shut down several times, including most recently the October 2025 Shutdown, and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical employees from the FDA, SEC, and other government offices, halting critical activities. If the October 2025 Shutdown continues, or if another prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA and other governmental agencies to review and process our regulatory submissions in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, in our operations as a public company, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations.
If our information systems or data, or those of third parties upon which we rely, are or were compromised, we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; loss of customers or sales; and other adverse consequences.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may process, as defined above, proprietary, confidential, and sensitive data, including personal data (such as health-related patient data), intellectual property, and trade secrets (collectively, sensitive information). We may rely upon third-party service providers and technologies to operate critical business systems to process sensitive information in a variety of contexts, including, without limitation, third-party providers of cloud-based infrastructure, employee email, CROs, and other functions. Our ability to monitor these third parties’ information security practices is limited, and these third parties may not have adequate information security measures in place. We may share or receive sensitive information with or from third parties.
The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks, cyber-intrusion, malicious internet-based activity, and online and offline fraud, are prevalent and have generally increased as the number, intensity, and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. These threats are becoming increasingly difficult to detect and come from a variety of sources, including traditional computer hackers, threat actors, personnel (such as through theft or misuse), sophisticated nation states, and nation-state-supported actors. Some actors now engage and are expected to continue to engage in cyber-attacks, including without limitation nation-state actors for geopolitical reasons and in conjunction with military conflicts and defense activities.
During times of war and other major conflicts, we and the third parties upon which we rely may be vulnerable to a heightened risk of these attacks, including cyber-attacks that could materially disrupt our systems and operations, supply chain, and ability to produce, sell and distribute our products.
We and the third parties upon which we rely may be subject to a variety of evolving threats, including but not limited to social engineering attacks (including through phishing attacks), malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks (such as credential stuffing), personnel misconduct or error, ransomware attacks, supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions, software or hardware failures, loss of data or other information technology assets, adware, natural disasters, terrorism, war, and telecommunication and electrical failures. Ransomware attacks, including by organized criminal threat actors, nation-states, and nation-state-supported actors, are becoming increasingly prevalent and can lead to significant interruptions in our operations, loss of data and income, reputational harm, and diversion of funds. Extortion payments may alleviate the negative impact of a ransomware attack, but we may be unwilling or unable to make such payments due to, for example, applicable laws or regulations prohibiting such payments. Similarly, supply-chain attacks have increased in frequency and severity.
Furthermore, our remote workforce poses increased risks to our information technology systems and data, as most of our employees work from home, utilizing network connections outside our premises.
Any of the previously identified or similar threats could cause a security breach or disruption. While we have not experienced any such security breach or other disruption to date, if such an event were to occur, it could result in unauthorized, unlawful, or accidental acquisition, modification, destruction, loss, alteration, encryption, disclosure of, or access to our sensitive information and cause interruptions in our operations, including material disruptions of our development programs and business operations.
We may expend significant resources or modify our business activities (including our clinical trial activities) to try to protect against security breaches and disruptions. While we have implemented security measures designed to protect against security incidents, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective. We may be unable in the future to detect vulnerabilities in our information technology systems because such threats and techniques change frequently, are often sophisticated in nature, and may not be detected until after a security breach or disruption has occurred. Despite our efforts to identify and remediate vulnerabilities, if any, in our information technology systems, our efforts may not be successful. Further, we may experience delays in developing and deploying remedial measures designed to address any such identified vulnerabilities.
Applicable data privacy and security obligations may require us to notify relevant parties of certain security breaches and disruptions. Such disclosures are costly, and the disclosure or the failure to comply with such requirements could lead to adverse consequences. If we (or a third party upon whom we rely) experience a security breach or other disruption, or are perceived to have experienced such events, we may experience adverse consequences, including: government enforcement actions (for example, investigations, fines, penalties, audits, and inspections); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; restrictions on processing sensitive information (including personal data); litigation (including class claims); indemnification obligations; negative publicity; reputational harm; monetary fund diversions; interruptions in our operations (including availability of data); financial loss; and other similar harms. In particular, since we sponsor clinical trials, any breach or disruption that compromises patient data and identities could generate significant reputational damage, which may affect trust in us and our ability to recruit for future clinical trials. Additionally, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data.
Our contracts may not contain limitations of liability, and even where they do, there can be no assurance that limitations of liability in our contracts are sufficient to protect us from liabilities, damages, or claims related to our data privacy and security obligations. Furthermore, we cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of our privacy and security practices, that such coverage will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims.
Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures, cyber-attacks or a deficiency in our cybersecurity.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems, and those of our current and future CROs and other contractors and consultants, are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Although we have not suffered any material incidents to date, the risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments, and cyber-terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased.
While we have not experienced any such material system failure, accident or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our development programs and our business operations. In addition, since we sponsor clinical trials, any breach that compromises patient data and identities causing a breach of privacy could generate significant reputational damage and legal liabilities and costs to recover and repair, including affecting trust in us to recruit for future clinical trials. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the further development and commercialization of our products and product candidates could be delayed.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On July 25, 2025, we issued 8,637,810 common stock purchase warrants. The shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of these warrants were unregistered at the time of issuance, but have subsequently been registered by the Company pursuant to Form S-3 (File Number 333-289635) declared effective by the SEC on August 28, 2025.
ITEM 3. DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
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Exhibit Number |
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Description of document |
4.1 |
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Form of July 2025 New Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 25, 2025). |
4.2 |
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Form of July 2025 Placement Agent Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 25, 2025). |
10.1* |
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with J.D. Finley, dated September 4, 2025. |
10.2* |
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Mitchell Jones, dated September 4, 2025. |
10.3 |
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Form of July 2025 Warrant Inducement Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 25, 2025). |
10.4* |
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Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement under the Palisade Bio, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. |
10.5* |
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Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement under the Palisade Bio, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (Optional Cash Settlement). |
31.1* |
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Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act. |
31.2* |
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Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act. |
32.1** |
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Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) of the Exchange Act, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
101.INS* |
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Inline XBRL Instance Document-the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File as its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
104* |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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PALISADE BIO, INC. |
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Date: November 10, 2025 |
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/s/ J.D. Finley |
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J.D. Finley, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director |
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(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
EX-10.1
2
pali-ex10_1.htm
EX-10.1
EX-10.1
PALISADE BIO, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 4, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), by and between J.D. Finley (“Executive”) and Palisade Bio, Inc. (the “Company”).
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Employment by the Company.
1.1
Position. Executive shall serve as the Company’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer and shall report to the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”). During the term of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will devote Executive’s best efforts and substantially all of Executive’s business time and attention to the business of the Company, except for approved vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities permitted by the Company’s general employment policies.
1.2
Duties and Location. Executive shall perform such duties as are customarily associated with the position of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer and such other duties as are assigned to Executive by the Board. Executive will provide services both remotely and in person and will be required to travel to the Company’s headquarters located in Carlsbad, California, from time to time. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company reserves the right to (a) reasonably require Executive to perform Executive’s duties at places other than Executive’s primary office location from time to time and to require reasonable business travel, and (b) modify Executive’s job title and duties as it deems necessary and appropriate in light of the Company’s needs and interests from time to time.
1.3
Policies and Procedures. The employment relationship between the parties shall be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.
1.4 Service on Board of Directors. Executive agrees that upon any termination of employment by the Company or resignation by Executive, Executive agrees to submit written notice of resignation as a member of the Board, if applicable, effective as of the date on which Executive no longer serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
2.1
Base Salary. For services to be rendered hereunder, Executive shall receive a base salary at the rate of $575,000 per year (the “Base Salary”), less standard payroll deductions and withholdings and payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule. The Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) may review Executive’s Base Salary for adjustment from time to time.
2.2
Bonus. Executive will be eligible to be considered for a discretionary annual performance bonus of up to 50% of the Base Salary, based on achievement of individual and/or corporate performance targets, metrics and/or objectives to be determined and approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof, including pursuant to an annual incentive plan or similar plan approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof, if any. Any such bonus shall be paid by March 15th of the calendar year after the close of the calendar year to which the bonus relates and after determination by the Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) of (i) the level of achievement of the applicable individual and corporate performance targets, metrics and/or objectives and (ii) the amount of the annual incentive compensation earned by Executive (if any). No annual incentive compensation is guaranteed and, in addition to the other conditions for earning such compensation, Executive must remain an employee in good standing of the Company on the annual incentive compensation payment date in order to be eligible for any annual incentive compensation. The Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) may review Executive’s annual performance bonus amount for adjustment from time to time.
4.
Standard Company Benefits; Expenses. Executive shall, in accordance with Company policy and the terms and conditions of the applicable Company benefit plan documents, be eligible to participate in the benefit and fringe benefit programs provided by the Company to its executive officers and other employees from time to time. Any such benefits shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the governing benefit plans and policies and may be changed by the Company in its discretion. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in furtherance or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.
5.1
Annual Equity-Based Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive an annual equity-based grant (the “Annual Equity-Based Grant”), which may include stock options, restricted stock units, restricted shares, phantom units, and/or any other equity-based awards (collectively, “Equity-Based Awards”), pursuant to the terms of one of the Company’s equity or phantom equity incentive plans. The actual amount of such grant, if any, will be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) based upon Company performance and any other factors that the Board (or a committee thereof), in its reasonable good faith discretion, deems appropriate. Executive’s achievement of such milestones, as well as the amount of any Annual Equity-Based Grant, if any, shall be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) in its reasonable good faith discretion. In connection with such grants, the Executive shall enter into the Company’s standard award agreement which will incorporate the vesting schedule and other terms as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof).
5.2
Additional Grants. Executive may be eligible to receive additional grants of Company Equity-Based Awards in the sole discretion of and subject to the approval of the Board.
In the event of a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities (each, a “Financing”), the Board shall use its best efforts to approve and grant to Executive an additional Equity-Based Award, the size and terms of which shall be determined by the Board in good faith, taking into account the nature and size of the Financing.
6.
Proprietary Information Obligations.
6.1
Proprietary Information Agreement. Executive will continue to abide by the Company’s standard Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, which was previously entered into by the Company and Executive (“Proprietary Agreement”).
6.2
Third-Party Agreements and Information. Executive represents and warrants that Executive’s employment by the Company does not conflict with any prior employment or consulting agreement or other agreement with any third party, and that Executive will perform Executive’s duties to the Company without violating any such agreement. Executive represents and warrants that Executive does not possess confidential information arising out of prior employment, consulting, or other third party relationships, that would be used in connection with Executive’s employment by the Company, except as expressly authorized by that third party. During Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will use in the performance of Executive’s duties only information that is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to Executive’s own, common knowledge in the industry, otherwise legally in the public domain, or obtained or developed by the Company or by Executive in the course of Executive’s work for the Company.
7.
Outside Activities and Non-Competition and No-Solicit.
7.1
Outside Activities. Throughout Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive may serve on one (1) corporate, civic, not-for-profit board or committee so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company or its affiliates. Subject to the restrictions set forth herein, and only with prior written disclosure to and consent of the Board, Executive may engage in other types of business or public activities. The Company may rescind such consent, if the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that such activities compromise or threaten to compromise the Company’s or its affiliates’ business interests or conflict with Executive’s duties to the Company or its affiliates.
7.2
Non-Competition During Employment. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, during Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will not, without the express written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly serve as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, proprietor, investor, joint venturer, associate, representative or consultant of any person or entity engaged in, or planning or preparing to engage in, business activity competitive with any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by the Company or its affiliates; provided, however, that Executive may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (without participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange.
In addition, Executive will be subject to certain restrictions (including restrictions continuing after Executive’s employment ends) under the terms of the Proprietary Agreement.
7.3
Non-Solicitation. Executive agrees that during the period of employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months after the date Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, Executive will not, either directly or through others, solicit or encourage or attempt to solicit or encourage any employee, independent contractor, or consultant of the Company to terminate his or her relationship with the Company in order to become an employee, consultant or independent contractor to or for any other person or entity.
8.
Termination of Employment; Severance and Change in Control Benefits.
8.1
At-Will Employment. Executive’s employment relationship is at-will. Either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without Cause (as defined below) or advance notice. In the event Executive's employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, Executive will be entitled to all of Executive's earned compensation and benefits or otherwise as required by law through the date of termination. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall not be entitled to any additional compensation or benefits hereunder in the event Executive's employment is terminated for Cause, due to Executive's resignation without Good Reason, upon Executive's death or Executive's Disability (as defined below); provided that this Section 8.1 does not purport to alter (a) any separate agreement entered into after the Effective Date and pursuant which Executive is expressly entitled to benefits or other compensation on or after the events set forth in this sentence, including, if applicable, the grants issued pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans, or (b) any agreements between the Executive and any third party, including insurance policies or the like. If Executive's employment terminates due to an Involuntary Termination (as defined below), Executive will be eligible to receive the additional compensation and benefits described in Sections 8.2 and 8.3, as applicable.
8.2
Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Unrelated to Change in Control. If at any time following the Effective Date, except during the Change in Control Period (as defined below), (i) the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (as defined below and other than as a result of Executive’s death or Disability), or (ii) Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below), and provided in any case such termination constitutes a “separation from service”, as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (a “Separation from Service”) (such termination described in (i) or (ii), an “Involuntary Termination”), Executive shall be entitled to receive the following severance benefits, subject in all events to Executive’s compliance with Section 8.4 below:
(ii)
Executive shall receive any unpaid annual bonus with respect to any completed calendar year immediately preceding the Executive’s termination date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date;
(iii)
Executive shall receive severance pay in the form of continuation of Executive’s Base Salary in effect (ignoring any decrease that forms the basis for Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, if applicable) on the effective date of Executive’s Involuntary Termination for the twelve (12)-month period (the “Severance Period”) after the date of such termination; If Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Company’s group health plans under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 or the state equivalent (“COBRA”) following Executive’s termination date, the Company will pay the COBRA group health insurance premiums for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents until the earliest of (A) the close of the Severance Period, (B) the expiration of Executive’s eligibility for the continuation coverage under COBRA, or (C) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment. For purposes of this Section, references to COBRA premiums shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Section 125 health care reimbursement plan under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA premiums without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then regardless of whether Executive elects continued health coverage under COBRA, and in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, the Company will instead pay Executive on the last day of each remaining month of the Severance Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the COBRA premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings (such amount, the “Health Care Benefit Payment”). The Health Care Benefit Payment shall be paid in monthly installments on the same schedule that the COBRA premiums would otherwise have been paid and shall be equal to the amount that the Company would have otherwise paid for COBRA premiums, and shall be paid until the earlier of (i) expiration of the Severance Period or (ii) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment; and
(iv)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any equity incentive plan or any award agreement, or successor thereto, the vesting of all of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity-Based Awards that are subject to time-based vesting shall be fully accelerated such that on the effective date of such termination one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity-Based Awards subject to time-based vesting granted to Executive prior to the effective date of such termination shall be fully vested, and all the restrictions thereon shall lapse. Such fully vested awards that are stock option awards, will be immediately exercisable by Executive for the lesser of (i) 90 days or (ii) the expiration date contained in the applicable grant agreement. The timing of the payment of any Equity-Based Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code will determined solely by the terms of the agreement(s) under which such awards were granted. Treatment of any performance-based vesting equity awards will be governed solely by the terms of the agreements under which such awards were granted and will not be eligible to accelerate vesting pursuant to the foregoing provisions.
The salary continuation payments described in this Section 8.2 will be paid in substantially equal installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule and subject to standard deductions and withholdings over the Severance Period following termination; provided, however, that no payments will be made prior to the effectiveness of the Release (defined below). On the effective date of the Release, the Company will pay Executive the salary continuation payments that Executive would have received on or prior to such date in a lump sum under the original schedule but for the delay while waiting for the effectiveness of the release, with the balance of the cash severance being paid as originally scheduled.
8.3
Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason During Change in Control Period. In the event of an Involuntary Termination at any time following the Effective Date and during the time period commencing three (3) months immediately prior to the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined below) and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the effective date of a Change in Control (the “Change in Control Period”), in lieu of the payments and benefits described in Section 8.2, and subject in all events to Executive’s compliance with Section 8.4 below, the Executive shall be entitled to the following severance benefits:
(i)
Executive shall receive a severance payment equal to the sum of (x) twenty-four (24) months’ (the “Change in Control Severance Period”) of Executive’s base salary in effect (ignoring any decrease that forms the basis for Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, if applicable) on the effective date of Executive’s Involuntary Termination plus (y) an amount equal to two (2) times Executive’s target bonus in effect at the time of termination (as set forth in Section 2.2 above), or if none, the last target bonus in effect for Executive, less standard deductions and withholdings, to be paid in a lump sum no later than ten (10) days following the later of (A) the effectiveness of the Release (as defined below) or (B) the effective date of the Change in Control;
(ii)
Executive shall receive any unpaid annual bonus with respect to any completed calendar year immediately preceding the Executive’s termination date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date;
(iii)
If Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Company’s group health plans under COBRA following Executive’s termination date, the Company will pay the COBRA group health insurance premiums for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents until the earliest of (A) the close of the Change in Control Severance Period, (B) the expiration of Executive’s eligibility for the continuation coverage under COBRA, or (C) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment. For purposes of this Section, references to COBRA premiums shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Section 125 health care reimbursement plan under the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA premiums without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then regardless of whether Executive elects continued health coverage under COBRA, and in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, the Company will instead pay Executive on the last day of each remaining month of the Change in Control Severance Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the Healthcare Benefit Payment. The Health Care Benefit Payment shall be paid in monthly installments on the same schedule that the COBRA premiums would otherwise have been paid and shall be equal to the amount that the Company would have otherwise paid for COBRA premiums, and shall be paid until the earlier of (i) expiration of the Change in Control Severance Period or (ii) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment; and
(iv)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any equity incentive plan or any award agreement, or successor thereto, the vesting of all of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity-Based Awards that are subject to time-based vesting shall be fully accelerated such that on the effective date of such termination one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity-Based Awards subject to time-based vesting granted to Executive prior to the effective date of such termination shall be fully vested, and any restrictions thereupon shall lapse. Such fully vested awards that are stock options, will immediately be exercisable by Executive for until the later of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of termination or (ii) ninety (90) days from the date of the transaction resulting in the Change in Control, but in no event later than the expiration date contained in the applicable grant agreement. The timing of the payment of any Equity-Based Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code will be determined solely by the terms of the agreement(s) under which such awards were granted. Treatment of any performance-based vesting equity awards will be governed solely by the terms of the agreements under which such awards were granted and will not be eligible to accelerate vesting pursuant to the foregoing provision.
8.4
Conditions and Timing for Severance Benefits. The severance benefits set forth in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 above are expressly conditioned upon: (i) Executive’s continuing to comply with Executive’s obligations under Executive’s Proprietary Agreement; and (ii) Executive signing and not revoking a general release of legal claims in the form provided by the Company which shall include a nondisparagement provision and a full general release of claims against the Company and related persons and entities and a commitment from Executive to comply with Executive’s continuing obligations under Executive’s Proprietary Agreement, but will not include a release of any rights or claims for indemnification Executive may have pursuant to any written indemnification agreement with the Company to which Executive is a party, the Company’s bylaws, or applicable law (the “Release”) within the applicable deadline set forth therein and permitting the Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, which must occur no later than forty-five (45) days following the date of termination (the “Release Deadline”). If (i) Executive’s Involuntary Termination occurs prior to a Change in Control that qualifies Executive for severance payments and benefits under Section 8.2, and (ii) a Change in Control occurs within the three (3)‑month period following Executive’s Involuntary Termination that qualifies Executive for severance payments and benefits under Section 8.3, then (A) Executive will cease receiving any further payments or benefits under Section 8.2, and (B) Executive will receive the payments and benefits under Section 8.3 instead but each of the payments and benefits otherwise payable under Section 8.3 will be reduced by the corresponding payments or benefits Executive already received under Section 8.2, provided such payments shall be made in a manner that complies with or is exempt from Section 409A of the Code.
8.5
Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(i)
“Cause” means, with respect to Employee, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Employee’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) Employee’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) Employee’s intentional, material violation of any contract, Company policy, or agreement between Employee and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company that has not been cured, if curable, within fifteen (15) days after written notice from the CEO, Board (or a committee thereof) of such violation; (iv) Employee’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) Employee’s gross misconduct that has not been cured, if curable, within fifteen (15) days after written notice from the CEO or Board requesting that the Employee cure such misconduct.
(ii)
“Change in Control” means in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(a)
there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the acquiring entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the acquiring entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or
(b)
there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(c)
the date any non-affiliated “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes, subsequent to the date hereof, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction; or
(d)
individuals who, on the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the transaction or event must also constitute a change in control event under Section 409A of the Code.
(iii)
“Disability” means the inability of Employee to engage in substantially gainful Company activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, and shall be determined by the CEO on the basis of such medical evidence as the CEO deems warranted under the circumstances.
(iv)
“Good Reason” means Employee’s resignation from employment with the Company (or successor to the Company, if applicable) due to any of the following actions taken by the Company (or successor to the Company, if applicable) without Employee’s prior written consent thereto: (1) a material reduction in Employee’s base salary, which the parties agree is a reduction of at least 10% of Employee’s base salary (unless pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable generally to the Company’s similarly situated employees); (2) a material reduction in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; and (3) a breach of a material provision of this Agreement by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to resign for Good Reason, Employee must provide written notice to the Company within thirty (30) days after the first occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason setting forth the basis for Employee’s resignation and allow the Company at least thirty (30) days from receipt of such written notice to cure such event, and, if such event is not reasonably cured within such period, Employee’s resignation from all positions Employee then holds with the Company is effective not later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the cure period.
8.6
Section 409A. It is intended that all of the benefits and other payments payable under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, an exemption from the application of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “Section 409A”), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions, and to the extent not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Specifically, the benefits under this Agreement are intended to satisfy the exemptions from application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9) and each installment of severance benefits is a separate “payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). However, if such exemptions are not available and Executive is, upon Separation from Service, a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the severance benefits payments shall be delayed until the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one day after Executive’s Separation from Service, or (ii) Executive’s death. Severance benefits shall not commence until Executive has a Separation from Service. If the severance benefits are not covered by one or more exemptions from the application of Section 409A and the Release could become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive's Separation from Service occurs, the Release will not be deemed effective, for purposes of payment of severance, any earlier than the Release Deadline.
Except to the minimum extent that payments must be delayed because Executive is a “specified employee” or until the effectiveness of the Release, all severance amounts will be paid as soon as practicable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.
8.7
Section 280G. If any payment or benefit Executive will or may receive from the Company or otherwise (a “Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount (defined below). The “Reduced Amount” will be either (l) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax or (2) the entire Payment, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payment. If a reduction in the Payment is to be made so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, (x) the Payment will be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Amount alternative, and the Executive will have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (y) reduction in payments and/or benefits will occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive’s equity awards. In no event will the Company or any stockholder be liable to Executive for any amounts not paid as a result of the operation of this Section. The professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the change in control will perform the foregoing calculations. If the tax firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquirer, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made hereunder. If the tax firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it will furnish the Company and Executive with documentation that no Excise Tax is reasonably likely to be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
9.
Dispute Resolution. To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of Executive’s employment from the Company, will be resolved pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1-16, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted in San Diego, California by JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) or its successors, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (which can be found at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/, and which will be provided to Executive on request); provided that the arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award.
Executive and the Company shall be entitled to all rights and remedies that either would be entitled to pursue in a court of law. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, they waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. The Company shall pay all filing fees in excess of those which would be required if the dispute were decided in a court of law, and shall pay the arbitrator’s fee. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either the Company or Executive from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.
10.1
Notices. Any notices provided must be in writing and will be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by fax or email) or the next day after sending by overnight carrier, to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at the address as listed on the Company payroll.
10.2
Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction to the extent possible in keeping with the intent of the Parties.
10.3
Waiver. Any waiver of any breach of any provisions of this Agreement must be in writing to be effective, and it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.
10.4
Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Proprietary Agreement, and the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B, constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof and is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of the Company’s and Executive’s agreement with regard to this subject matter. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations (including, but not limited to, the Prior Agreements). It cannot be modified or amended except in a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, with the exception of those changes expressly reserved to the Company’s discretion in this Agreement.
10.5
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but both of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
10.6
Headings. The headings of the paragraphs hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
10.7
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of Executive’s duties hereunder and Executive may not assign any of Executive’s rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.
10.8
Tax Withholding. All payments and awards contemplated or made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholdings of applicable taxes in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations of all appropriate government authorities. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has neither made any assurances nor any guarantees concerning the tax treatment of any payments or awards contemplated by or made pursuant to this Agreement. Executive has had the opportunity to retain a tax and financial advisor and fully understands the tax and economic consequences of all payments and awards made pursuant to the Agreement.
10.9
Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California.
[Signature Page Follows]
In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.
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Palisade Bio, Inc. |
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By: |
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/s/ Don Williams |
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Name: |
Don Williams |
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Title: |
Chairman of the Board |
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Executive: J.D. Finley |
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/s/ J.D. Finley |
J.D. Finley |
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Exhibit A
Proprietary Agreement
[as previously signed]
Exhibit B
Indemnification Agreement
[as previously signed]
EX-10.2
3
pali-ex10_2.htm
EX-10.2
EX-10.2
PALISADE BIO, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of September 4, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Mitchell Jones, M.D., Ph.D. (“Executive”) and Palisade Bio, Inc. (the “Company”).
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Employment by the Company.
1.1
Position. Executive shall serve as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer and shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). During the term of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will devote Executive’s best efforts and substantially all of Executive’s business time and attention to the business of the Company, except for approved vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities permitted by the Company’s general employment policies.
1.2
Duties and Location. Executive shall perform such duties as are customarily associated with the position of Chief Medical Officer and such other duties as are assigned to Executive by the CEO. Executive will provide services remotely, but will be required to travel to the Company’s primary office location shall be the Company’s headquarters located in Carlsbad, California. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company reserves the right to (a) reasonably require Executive to perform Executive’s duties at places other than Executive’s primary office location from time to time and to require reasonable business travel, and (b) modify Executive’s job title and duties as it deems necessary and appropriate in light of the Company’s needs and interests from time to time.
1.3
Policies and Procedures. The employment relationship between the parties shall be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.
2.1
Base Salary. For services to be rendered hereunder, Executive shall receive a base salary at the rate of $440,000 per year (the “Base Salary”), less standard payroll deductions and withholdings and payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule. The Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) may review Executive’s Base Salary for adjustment from time to time.
2.2
Bonus. Executive will be eligible to be considered for a discretionary annual performance bonus of up to 40% of the Base Salary, based on achievement of individual and/or corporate performance targets, metrics and/or objectives to be determined and approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof, including pursuant to an annual incentive plan or similar plan approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee thereof, if any.
Any such bonus shall be paid by March 15th of the calendar year after the close of the calendar year to which the bonus relates and after determination by the Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) of (i) the level of achievement of the applicable individual and corporate performance targets, metrics and/or objectives and (ii) the amount of the annual incentive compensation earned by Executive (if any). No annual incentive compensation is guaranteed and, in addition to the other conditions for earning such compensation, Executive must remain an employee in good standing of the Company on the annual incentive compensation payment date in order to be eligible for any annual incentive compensation. The Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) may review Executive’s annual performance bonus amount for adjustment from time to time. Executive’s first year discretionary performance bonus will not be pro-rated for Executive’s time of employment and Executive will be eligible to earn his full target annual performance bonus amount based upon a full year Base Salary, subject to the achievement of the achievement of the corporate and individual performance targets, metrics, and/or objectives.
4.
Standard Company Benefits; Expenses. Executive shall, in accordance with Company policy and the terms and conditions of the applicable Company benefit plan documents, be eligible to participate in the benefit and fringe benefit programs provided by the Company to its executive officers and other employees from time to time. Any such benefits shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the governing benefit plans and policies and may be changed by the Company in its discretion. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in furtherance or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.
5.1
Annual Equity-Based Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive an annual equity-based grant (the “Annual Equity-Based Grant”), which may include stock options, restricted stock units, restricted shares, phantom units, and/or any other equity-based awards (collectively, “Equity-Based Awards”), pursuant to the terms of one of the Company’s equity or phantom equity incentive plans. The actual amount of such grant, if any, will be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) based upon Company performance and any other factors that the Board (or a committee thereof), in its reasonable good faith discretion, deems appropriate. Executive’s achievement of such milestones, as well as the amount of any Annual Equity-Based Grant, if any, shall be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) in its reasonable good faith discretion. In connection with such grants, the Executive shall enter into the Company’s standard award agreement which will incorporate the vesting schedule and other terms as determined by the Board (or a committee thereof).
5.2
Additional Grants. Executive may be eligible to receive additional grants of Company Equity-Based Awards in the sole discretion of and subject to the approval of the Board. In the event of a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities (each, a “Financing”), the Board shall use its best efforts to approve and grant to Executive an additional Equity-Based Award, the size and terms of which shall be determined by the Board in good faith, taking into account the nature and size of the Financing.
6.
Proprietary Information Obligations.
6.1
Proprietary Information Agreement. Executive will continue to abide by the Company’s standard Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT A (“Proprietary Agreement”).
6.2
Third-Party Agreements and Information. Executive represents and warrants that Executive’s employment by the Company does not conflict with any prior employment or consulting agreement or other agreement with any third party, and that Executive will perform Executive’s duties to the Company without violating any such agreement. Executive represents and warrants that Executive does not possess confidential information arising out of prior employment, consulting, or other third party relationships, that would be used in connection with Executive’s employment by the Company, except as expressly authorized by that third party. During Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will use in the performance of Executive’s duties only information that is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to Executive’s own, common knowledge in the industry, otherwise legally in the public domain, or obtained or developed by the Company or by Executive in the course of Executive’s work for the Company.
7.
Outside Activities and Non-Competition and No-Solicit.
7.1
Outside Activities. Throughout Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive may serve on one (1) corporate, civic, not-for-profit board or committee so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company or its affiliates. Subject to the restrictions set forth herein, and only with prior written disclosure to and consent of the CEO, Executive may engage in other types of business or public activities. The Company may rescind such consent, if the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that such activities compromise or threaten to compromise the Company’s or its affiliates’ business interests or conflict with Executive’s duties to the Company or its affiliates.
7.2
Non-Competition During Employment.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, during Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will not, without the express written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly serve as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, proprietor, investor, joint venturer, associate, representative or consultant of any person or entity engaged in, or planning or preparing to engage in, business activity competitive with any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by the Company or its affiliates; provided, however, that Executive may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (without participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange. In addition, Executive will be subject to certain restrictions (including restrictions continuing after Executive’s employment ends) under the terms of the Proprietary Agreement.
7.3
Non-Solicitation. Executive agrees that during the period of employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months after the date Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, Executive will not, either directly or through others, solicit or encourage or attempt to solicit or encourage any employee, independent contractor, or consultant of the Company to terminate his or her relationship with the Company in order to become an employee, consultant or independent contractor to or for any other person or entity.
8.
Termination of Employment; Severance and Change in Control Benefits.
8.1
At-Will Employment. Executive’s employment relationship is at-will. Either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without Cause (as defined below) or advance notice. In the event Executive's employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, Executive will be entitled to all of Executive's earned compensation and benefits or otherwise as required by law through the date of termination. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall not be entitled to any additional compensation or benefits hereunder in the event Executive's employment is terminated for Cause, due to Executive's resignation without Good Reason, upon Executive's death or Executive's Disability (as defined below); provided that this Section 8.1 does not purport to alter (a) any separate agreement entered into after the Effective Date and pursuant which Executive is expressly entitled to benefits or other compensation on or after the events set forth in this sentence, including, if applicable, the grants issued pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans, or (b) any agreements between the Executive and any third party, including insurance policies or the like. If Executive's employment terminates due to an Involuntary Termination (as defined below), Executive will be eligible to receive the additional compensation and benefits described in Sections 8.2 and 8.3, as applicable.
8.2
Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Unrelated to Change in Control. If at any time following the Effective Date, except during the Change in Control Period (as defined below), (i) the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (as defined below and other than as a result of Executive’s death or Disability), or
(ii) Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below), and provided in any case such termination constitutes a “separation from service”, as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (a “Separation from Service”) (such termination described in (i) or (ii), an “Involuntary Termination”), Executive shall be entitled to receive the following severance benefits, subject in all events to Executive’s compliance with Section 8.4 below:
(i)
Executive shall receive severance pay in the form of continuation of Executive’s Base Salary in effect (ignoring any decrease that forms the basis for Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, if applicable) on the effective date of Executive’s Involuntary Termination for the twelve (12)-month period (the “Severance Period”) after the date of such termination;
(ii)
Executive shall receive any unpaid annual bonus with respect to any completed calendar year immediately preceding the Executive’s termination date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date; and
(iii)
If Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Company’s group health plans under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 or the state equivalent (“COBRA”) following Executive’s termination date, the Company will pay the COBRA group health insurance premiums for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents until the earliest of (A) the close of the Severance Period, (B) the expiration of Executive’s eligibility for the continuation coverage under COBRA, or (C) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment. For purposes of this Section, references to COBRA premiums shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Section 125 health care reimbursement plan under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA premiums without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then regardless of whether Executive elects continued health coverage under COBRA, and in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, the Company will instead pay Executive on the last day of each remaining month of the Severance Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the COBRA premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings (such amount, the “Health Care Benefit Payment”). The Health Care Benefit Payment shall be paid in monthly installments on the same schedule that the COBRA premiums would otherwise have been paid and shall be equal to the amount that the Company would have otherwise paid for COBRA premiums, and shall be paid until the earlier of (i) expiration of the Severance Period or (ii) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment.
The salary continuation payments described in this Section 8.2 will be paid in substantially equal installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule and subject to standard deductions and withholdings over the Severance Period following termination; provided, however, that no payments will be made prior to the effectiveness of the Release (defined below). On the effective date of the Release, the Company will pay Executive the salary continuation payments that Executive would have received on or prior to such date in a lump sum under the original schedule but for the delay while waiting for the effectiveness of the release, with the balance of the cash severance being paid as originally scheduled.
8.3
Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason During Change in Control Period. In the event of an Involuntary Termination at any time following the Effective Date and during the time period commencing three (3) months immediately prior to the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined below) and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the effective date of a Change in Control (the “Change in Control Period”), in lieu of the payments and benefits described in Section 8.2, and subject in all events to Executive’s compliance with Section 8.4 below, the Executive shall be entitled to the following severance benefits:
(i)
Executive shall receive a severance payment equal to the sum of (x)
twenty-four (24) months’ (the “Change in Control Severance Period”) of Executive’s base salary in effect (ignoring any decrease that forms the basis for Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, if applicable) on the effective date of Executive’s Involuntary Termination plus (y) an amount equal to two (2) times Executive’s target bonus in effect at the time of termination (as set forth in Section 2.2 above), or if none, the last target bonus in effect for Executive, less standard deductions and withholdings, to be paid in a lump sum no later than ten (10) days following the later of (A) the effectiveness of the Release (as defined below) or (B) the effective date of the Change in Control;
(ii)
Executive shall receive any unpaid annual bonus with respect to any completed calendar year immediately preceding the Executive’s termination date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date;
(iii)
If Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Company’s group health plans under COBRA following Executive’s termination date, the Company will pay the COBRA group health insurance premiums for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents until the earliest of (A) the close of the Change in Control Severance Period, (B) the expiration of Executive’s eligibility for the continuation coverage under COBRA, or (C) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment. For purposes of this Section, references to COBRA premiums shall not include any amounts payable by Executive under a Section 125 health care reimbursement plan under the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA premiums without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then regardless of whether Executive elects continued health coverage under COBRA, and in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, the Company will instead pay Executive on the last day of each remaining month of the Change in Control Severance Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the Healthcare Benefit Payment. The Health Care Benefit Payment shall be paid in monthly installments on the same schedule that the COBRA premiums would otherwise have been paid and shall be equal to the amount that the Company would have otherwise paid for COBRA premiums, and shall be paid until the earlier of (i) expiration of the Change in Control Severance Period or (ii) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment; and
(iv)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any equity incentive plan or any award agreement, or successor thereto, the vesting of all of Executive’s then-outstanding Equity-Based Awards that are subject to time-based vesting shall be fully accelerated such that on the effective date of such termination one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity-Based Awards subject to time-based vesting granted to Executive prior to the effective date of such termination shall be fully vested, and any restrictions thereupon shall lapse. Such fully vested awards, to the extent applicable, will immediately be exercisable by Executive for until the later of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of termination or (ii) ninety (90) days from the date of the transaction resulting in the Change in Control, but in no event later than the expiration date contained in the applicable grant agreement. The timing of the payment of any Equity-Based Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code will be determined solely by the terms of the agreement(s) under which such awards were granted. Treatment of any performance-based vesting equity awards will be governed solely by the terms of the agreements under which such awards were granted and will not be eligible to accelerate vesting pursuant to the foregoing provision.
8.4
Conditions and Timing for Severance Benefits. The severance benefits set forth in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 above are expressly conditioned upon: (i) Executive’s continuing to comply with Executive’s obligations under Executive’s Proprietary Agreement; and (ii) Executive signing and not revoking a general release of legal claims in the form provided by the Company which shall include a nondisparagement provision and a full general release of claims against the Company and related persons and entities and a commitment from Executive to comply with Executive’s continuing obligations under Executive’s Proprietary Agreement, but will not include a release of any rights or claims for indemnification Executive may have pursuant to any written indemnification agreement with the Company to which Executive is a party, the Company’s bylaws, or applicable law (the “Release”) within the applicable deadline set forth therein and permitting the Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, which must occur no later than forty-five (45) days following the date of termination (the “Release Deadline”). If (i) Executive’s Involuntary Termination occurs prior to a Change in Control that qualifies Executive for severance payments and benefits under Section 8.2, and (ii) a Change in Control occurs within the three (3)‑month period following Executive’s Involuntary Termination that qualifies Executive for severance payments and benefits under Section 8.3, then (A) Executive will cease receiving any further payments or benefits under Section 8.2, and (B) Executive will receive the payments and benefits under Section 8.3 instead but each of the payments and benefits otherwise payable under Section 8.3 will be reduced by the corresponding payments or benefits Executive already received under Section 8.2, provided such payments shall be made in a manner that complies with or is exempt from Section 409A of the Code.
8.5
Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(i)
“Cause” means, with respect to Employee, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Employee’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) Employee’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) Employee’s intentional, material violation of any contract, Company policy, or agreement between Employee and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company that has not been cured, if curable, within fifteen (15) days after written notice from the CEO, Board (or a committee thereof) of such violation; (iv) Employee’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) Employee’s gross misconduct that has not been cured, if curable, within fifteen (15) days after written notice from the CEO or Board requesting that the Employee cure such misconduct.
(ii)
“Change in Control” means in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(a)
there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the acquiring entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the acquiring entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or
(b)
there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(c)
the date any non-affiliated “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes, subsequent to the date hereof, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction; or
(d)
individuals who, on the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the transaction or event must also constitute a change in control event under Section 409A of the Code.
(iii)
“Disability” means the inability of Employee to engage in substantially gainful Company activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, and shall be determined by the CEO on the basis of such medical evidence as the CEO deems warranted under the circumstances.
(iv)
“Good Reason” means Employee’s resignation from employment with the Company (or successor to the Company, if applicable) due to any of the following actions taken by the Company (or successor to the Company, if applicable) without Employee’s prior written consent thereto: (1) a material reduction in Employee’s base salary, which the parties agree is a reduction of at least 10% of Employee’s base salary (unless pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable generally to the Company’s similarly situated employees); (2) a material reduction in Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; and (3) a breach of a material provision of this Agreement by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to resign for Good Reason, Employee must provide written notice to the Company within thirty (30) days after the first occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason setting forth the basis for Employee’s resignation and allow the Company at least thirty (30) days from receipt of such written notice to cure such event, and, if such event is not reasonably cured within such period, Employee’s resignation from all positions Employee then holds with the Company is effective not later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the cure period.
8.6
Section 409A. It is intended that all of the benefits and other payments payable under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, an exemption from the application of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “Section 409A”), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions, and to the extent not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Specifically, the benefits under this Agreement are intended to satisfy the exemptions from application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9) and each installment of severance benefits is a separate “payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A- 2(b)(2)(i). However, if such exemptions are not available and Executive is, upon Separation from Service, a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the severance benefits payments shall be delayed until the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one day after Executive’s Separation from Service, or (ii) Executive’s death. Severance benefits shall not commence until Executive has a Separation from Service. If the severance benefits are not covered by one or more exemptions from the application of Section 409A and the Release could become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive's Separation from Service occurs, the Release will not be deemed effective, for purposes of payment of severance, any earlier than the Release Deadline. Except to the minimum extent that payments must be delayed because Executive is a “specified employee” or until the effectiveness of the Release, all severance amounts will be paid as soon as practicable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.
8.7
Section 280G. If any payment or benefit Executive will or may receive from the Company or otherwise (a “Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount (defined below). The “Reduced Amount” will be either (l) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax or (2) the entire Payment, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payment. If a reduction in the Payment is to be made so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, (x) the Payment will be paid only to the extent permitted under the Reduced Amount alternative, and the Executive will have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (y) reduction in payments and/or benefits will occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive’s equity awards. In no event will the Company or any stockholder be liable to Executive for any amounts not paid as a result of the operation of this Section. The professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the change in control will perform the foregoing calculations.
If the tax firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquirer, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such firm required to be made hereunder.
If the tax firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it will furnish the Company and Executive with documentation that no Excise Tax is reasonably likely to be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
9.
Dispute Resolution. To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of Executive’s employment from the Company, will be resolved pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1-16, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted in San Diego, California by JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) or its successors, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (which can be found at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/, and which will be provided to Executive on request); provided that the arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. Executive and the Company shall be entitled to all rights and remedies that either would be entitled to pursue in a court of law. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, they waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. The Company shall pay all filing fees in excess of those which would be required if the dispute were decided in a court of law, and shall pay the arbitrator’s fee. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either the Company or Executive from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.
10.1
Notices. Any notices provided must be in writing and will be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by fax or email) or the next day after sending by overnight carrier, to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at the address as listed on the Company payroll.
10.2
Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction to the extent possible in keeping with the intent of the Parties.
10.3
Waiver. Any waiver of any breach of any provisions of this Agreement must be in writing to be effective, and it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.
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10.4
Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Proprietary Agreement, and the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof and is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of the Company’s and Executive’s agreement with regard to this subject matter. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations (including, but not limited to, the Prior Agreements). It cannot be modified or amended except in a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, with the exception of those changes expressly reserved to the Company’s discretion in this Agreement.
10.5
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but both of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
10.6
Headings. The headings of the paragraphs hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
10.7
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of Executive’s duties hereunder and Executive may not assign any of Executive’s rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.
10.8
Tax Withholding. All payments and awards contemplated or made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholdings of applicable taxes in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations of all appropriate government authorities. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has neither made any assurances nor any guarantees concerning the tax treatment of any payments or awards contemplated by or made pursuant to this Agreement. Executive has had the opportunity to retain a tax and financial advisor and fully understands the tax and economic consequences of all payments and awards made pursuant to the Agreement.
10.9
Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California.
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DOCPROPERTY"SWDocID" GDSVF&H\11378701.4
In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first written
above.
Palisade Bio, Inc.
By: /s/ J.D. Finley
Name: J.D. Finley
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Executive: Mitchell Jones
/s/ Mitchell Jones, M.D., Ph.D.
Mitchell Jones, M.D., Ph.D.
DOCPROPERTY"SWDocID" GDSVF&H\11378701.4
Exhibit A Proprietary Agreement
DOCPROPERTY"SWDocID" GDSVF&H\11378701.4
Exhibit B Indemnification Agreement
EX-10.4
4
pali-ex10_4.htm
EX-10.4
EX-10.4
PALISADE BIO, INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Palisade Bio, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, which includes the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Notice of Grant”), Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant attached hereto as Exhibit A, and all appendices and exhibits attached thereto (all together, the “Award Agreement”). All terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan.
Participant:
Address:
The undersigned Participant has been granted the right to receive an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, as follows:
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Grant Number: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Commencement Date: |
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Number of Restricted Stock Units: |
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Vesting Schedule:
Subject to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan or set forth below, the Restricted Stock Units will vest in accordance with the following schedule:
[__________________________________________________________________]
In the event Participant ceases to be a Service Provider for any or no reason, then any unvested Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will thereupon be forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further rights thereunder. By Participant’s signature and the signature of the representative of Palisade Bio, Inc. (the “Company”) below, Participant and the Company agree that this Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, including the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A , all of which are part of this document. Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Award Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Award Agreement, and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and this Award Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the
Plan and the Award Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
By signing this Award Agreement, Participant is agreeing to arbitration of any disputes related to this Award Agreement and of any disputes related to Participant’s employment relationship with the Company, as provided in Section 16.
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PALISADE BIO, INC. |
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EXHIBIT A
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby grants to the individual (the “Participant”) named in the Notice of Grant under the Plan an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Award Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 19(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.
2. Company’s Obligation to Pay. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive a share of Common Stock on the date it vests (a “Share”). Unless and until the Restricted Stock Units will have vested in the manner set forth in Section 3 or 4, Participant will have no right to payment of any such Restricted Stock Units. Prior to actual payment of any vested Restricted Stock Units, such Restricted Stock Unit will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.
3. Vesting Schedule. Except as provided in Section 4, and subject to Section 5, the Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Grant, subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
4. Payment after Vesting.
(a)
General Rule. Subject to Section 8, any Restricted Stock Units that vest will be paid to Participant (or in the event of Participant’s death, to his or her properly designated beneficiary or estate) in whole Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), such vested Restricted Stock Units shall be paid as soon as practicable after vesting, but in each such case within sixty (60) days following the Vesting Date. In no event will Participant be permitted, directly or indirectly, to specify the taxable year of payment of any Restricted Stock Units payable under this Award Agreement.
(i) Discretionary Acceleration. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Restricted Stock Units at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan. If so accelerated, such Restricted Stock Units will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator. If Participant is a U.S. taxpayer, the payment of Shares vesting pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall in all cases be paid at a time or in a manner that is exempt from, or complies with, Section 409A. The prior sentence may be superseded in a future agreement or amendment to this Award Agreement only by direct and specific reference to such sentence.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Award Agreement or any other agreement (whether entered into before, on or after the Date of Grant), if the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the Restricted Stock Units is accelerated in connection with Participant’s termination as a Service Provider (provided that such termination is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Company), other than due to Participant’s death, and if (x) Participant is a U.S. taxpayer and a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such termination as a Service Provider and (y) the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if paid to Participant on or within the six (6) month period following Participant’s termination as a Service Provider, then the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will not be made until the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Participant’s termination as a Service Provider, unless Participant dies following his or her termination as a Service Provider, in which case, the Restricted Stock Units will be paid in Shares to Participant’s estate as soon as practicable following his or her death.
(c) Section 409A. It is the intent of this Award Agreement that it and all payments and benefits to U.S. taxpayers hereunder be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the Restricted Stock Units provided under this Award Agreement or Shares issuable thereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or so comply. Each payment payable under this Award Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). However, in no event will the Company reimburse Participant, or be otherwise responsible for, any taxes or costs that may be imposed on Participant as a result of Section 409A. For purposes of this Award Agreement, “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, and any final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time.
5. Forfeiture Upon Termination as a Service Provider. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Award Agreement, if Participant ceases to be a Service Provider for any or no reason, the then-unvested Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will thereupon be forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further rights thereunder.
6. Tax Consequences. Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisors the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement. With respect to such matters, Participant relies solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral. Participant understands that Participant (and not the Company) shall be responsible for Participant’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement.
7. Death of Participant. Any distribution or delivery to be made to Participant under this Award Agreement will, if Participant is then deceased, be made to Participant’s designated beneficiary, or if no beneficiary survives Participant, the administrator or executor of Participant’s estate. Any such transferee must furnish the Company with (a) written notice of his or her status as transferee, and (b) evidence satisfactory to the Company to establish the validity of the transfer and compliance with any laws or regulations pertaining to said transfer.
8. Tax Obligations.
(a) Responsibility for Taxes. Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) or Parent or Subsidiary to which Participant is providing services (together, the Company, Employer and/or Parent or Subsidiary to which the Participant is providing services, the “Service Recipient”), the ultimate liability for any tax and/or social insurance liability obligations and requirements in connection with the Restricted Stock Units, including, without limitation, (i) all federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) obligation) that are required to be withheld by the Company or the Employer or other payment of tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to Participant, (ii) the Participant’s and, to the extent required by the Company (or Service Recipient), the Company’s (or Service Recipient’s) fringe benefit tax liability, if any, associated with the grant, vesting, or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or sale of Shares, and (iii) any other Company (or Service Recipient) taxes the responsibility for which the Participant has, or has agreed to bear, with respect to the Restricted Stock Units (or settlement thereof or issuance of Shares thereunder) (collectively, the “Tax Obligations”), is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient. Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (A) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax Obligations in connection with any aspect of the Restricted Stock Units, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends or other distributions, and (B) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Restricted Stock Units to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax Obligations or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if Participant is subject to Tax Obligations in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax Obligations in more than one jurisdiction. If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any required Tax Obligations hereunder at the time of the applicable taxable event, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares.
(b) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may specify from time to time, the Company and/or Service Recipient shall withhold the amount required to be withheld for the payment of Tax Obligations. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit Participant to satisfy such Tax Obligations, in whole or in part (without limitation), if permissible by applicable local law, by (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Tax Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences), (iii) withholding the amount of such Tax Obligations from Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company and/or the Service Recipient, (iv) delivering to the Company already vested and owned Shares having a fair market value equal to such Tax Obligations, (v) selling a sufficient number of such Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant through such means as the Company may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Tax Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences) or (vi) any combination of the foregoing. Further, if Participant is subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and a date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (and/or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for tax in more than one jurisdiction. If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of such Tax Obligations hereunder at the time any applicable Restricted Stock Units otherwise are scheduled to vest pursuant to Sections 3 or 4, Participant will permanently forfeit such Restricted Stock Units and any right to receive Shares thereunder and such Restricted Stock Units will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company. Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to deliver the Shares if such Tax Obligations are not delivered at the time they are due.
9. Rights as Stockholder. Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book entry form) will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). After such issuance, recordation, and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.
10. No Guarantee of Continued Service. PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, WHICH UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW IS AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (OR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT) AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER. PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY (OR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT) TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, WHICH TERMINATION, UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, MAY BE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
11. Grant is Not Transferable. Except to the limited extent provided in Section 7, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby will not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and will not be subject to sale under execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this grant, or any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any execution, attachment or similar process, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby immediately will become null and void.
12. Nature of Grant. In accepting the grant, Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees that:
(a) the grant of the Restricted Stock Units is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of Restricted Stock Units, or benefits in lieu of Restricted Stock Units, even if Restricted Stock Units have been granted in the past;
(b) all decisions with respect to future Restricted Stock Units or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(c)
Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
(d) the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
(e) the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units, and the income and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;
(f) the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown, indeterminable and cannot be predicted;
(g) for purposes of the Restricted Stock Units, Participant’s status as a Service Provider will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later to be found invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Award Agreement (including by reference in the Notice of Grant to other arrangements or contracts) or determined by the Administrator, Participant’s right to vest in the Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g.,
Participant’s period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any, unless Participant is providing bona fide services during such time); the Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Restricted Stock Units grant (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence and consistent with local law);
(h) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the Restricted Stock Units and the benefits evidenced by this Award Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the Restricted Stock Units or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and
(i) the following provisions apply only if Participant is providing services outside the United States:
(i) the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose;
(ii) Participant acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company, the Employer or any Parent or Subsidiary shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between Participant’s local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Restricted Stock Units or of any amounts due to Participant pursuant to the settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement; and
(iii) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units resulting from the termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider (for any reason whatsoever whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of the Restricted Stock Units to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary or the Service Recipient, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary and the Service Recipient from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.
13. No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.
14. Data Privacy. Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Award Agreement and any other Restricted Stock Unit grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Employer, or other Service Recipient the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.
Participant understands that the Company and the Service Recipient may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and
telephone number, date of birth, social insurance/security number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Restricted Stock Units or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.
Participant understands that Data will be transferred to a stock plan service provider as may be selected by the Company in the future, which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan. Participant understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country. Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative. Participant authorizes the Company, any stock plan service provider selected by the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing his or her participation in the Plan. Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participant’s participation in the Plan. Participant understands that where provided by law, he or she may exercise rights related to the Data, including, for example the rights to request to view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, request necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative. Further, Participant understands that he or she is providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis. If Participant does not consent, or if Participant later seeks to revoke his or her consent, his or her status as a Service Provider and career with the Service Recipient will not be adversely affected; the only adverse consequence of refusing or withdrawing Participant’s consent is that the Company would not be able to grant Participant Restricted Stock Units or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards. Therefore, Participant understands that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of Participant’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.
15. Address for Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Award Agreement will be addressed to the Company at Palisade Bio, Inc., 7750 El Camino Real #5200, Carlsbad, CA 92009, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.
16. Arbitration and Equitable Relief.
(a) Arbitration. IN CONSIDERATION OF PARTICIPANT RECEIVING THIS AWARD AND PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY’S PROMISE TO ARBITRATE ALL EMPLOYMENT-RELATED DISPUTES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DISPUTES RELATING TO THIS AWARD) WITH PARTICIPANT, AND PARTICIPANT’S RECEIPT OF OTHER COMPENSATION AND OTHER COMPANY BENEFITS, AT PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES THAT PARTICIPANT MAY HAVE WITH THE COMPANY (INCLUDING ANY COMPANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE), ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM THIS AWARD OR PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION UNDER THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT (THE “FAA”). THE FAA’S SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL RULES SHALL GOVERN AND APPLY TO THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT WITH FULL FORCE AND EFFECT, AND ANY STATE COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION MAY STAY PROCEEDINGS PENDING ARBITRATION OR COMPEL ARBITRATION IN THE SAME MANNER AS A FEDERAL COURT UNDER THE FAA. PARTICIPANT FURTHER AGREES THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICIPANT MAY BRING ANY SUCH ARBITRATION PROCEEDING ONLY IN PARTICIPANTS’ INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF, REPRESENTATIVE OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE OR REPRESENTATIVE LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICPANT AGREES TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL COMMON LAW AND/OR STATUTORY CLAIMS UNDER LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS UNDER TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT, THE WORKER ADJUSTMENT AND RETRAINING NOTIFICATION ACT, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, CLAIMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT STATUS, COMPENSATION (CASH, EQUITY, BONUS, OR OTHERWISE), CLASSIFICATION AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, AND CLAIMS OF HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, WRONGFUL TERMINATION, AND BREACH OF CONTRACT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICIPANT ALSO AGREES TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INTERPRETATION OR APPLICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE, BUT NOT DISPUTES ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY, REVOCABILITY OR VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE OR THE CLASS, COLLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING WAIVER HEREIN. WITH RESPECT TO ALL SUCH CLAIMS AND DISPUTES THAT PARTICIPANT AGREES TO ARBITRATE, PARTICIPANT HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREES TO WAIVE, AND DOES WAIVE, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. PARTICIPANT FURTHER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ALSO APPLIES TO ANY DISPUTES THAT THE COMPANY MAY HAVE WITH PARTICIPANT. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT REQUIRES PARTICIPANT TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS THAT CANNOT BE ARBITRATED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, SUCH AS CLAIMS UNDER THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 16 ONLY, REFERENCES TO “COMPANY” SHALL MEAN PALISADE BIO, INC. (OR IT SUCCESSOR) AND ANY PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OF PALISADE BIO, INC. (OR ITS SUCCESSOR).
(b) Procedure. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ANY ARBITRATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION PURSUANT TO ITS EMPLOYMENT ARBITRATION RULES & MEDIATION PROCEDURES (THE “AAA RULES”), WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT https://www.adr.org. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ANY MOTIONS BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY TO THE ARBITRATION, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND/OR ADJUDICATION, AND MOTIONS TO DISMISS AND DEMURRERS, APPLYING THE STANDARDS SET FORTH UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECISION ON THE MERITS. PARTICIPANT ALSO AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO AWARD ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY, WHERE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE DECREE OR AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR MAY BE ENTERED AS A FINAL AND BINDING JUDGMENT IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION THEREOF. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT THE COMPANY WILL PAY FOR ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OR HEARING FEES CHARGED BY THE ARBITRATOR OR AAA EXCEPT THAT PARTICIPANT SHALL PAY ANY FILING FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ANY ARBITRATION THAT PARTICIPANT INITIATES, BUT ONLY SO MUCH OF THE FILING FEES AS PARTICIPANT WOULD HAVE INSTEAD PAID HAD PARTICIPANT FILED A COMPLAINT IN A COURT OF LAW. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ADMINISTER AND CONDUCT ANY ARBITRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAW, INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND THE CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE CODE, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL APPLY SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL CALIFORNIA LAW TO ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO RULES OF CONFLICT-OF-LAW.
(c) Remedy. EXCEPT FOR THE PURSUIT OF ANY REMEDY PROVIDED BY THIS AGREEMENT, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ARBITRATION SHALL BE THE SOLE, EXCLUSIVE, AND FINAL REMEDY FOR ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY.
(d) Administrative Relief. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT PROHIBIT PARTICIPANT FROM PURSUING AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIM WITH A LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE BODY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO ENFORCE OR ADMINISTER LAWS RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING, THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD. THIS AGREEMENT DOES, HOWEVER, PRECLUDE PARTICIPANT FROM PURSUING A COURT ACTION REGARDING ANY SUCH CLAIM, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.
(e) Voluntary Nature of Agreement. PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT PARTICIPANT IS EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT ANY DURESS OR UNDUE INFLUENCE BY THE COMPANY OR ANYONE ELSE. PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT PARTICIPANT HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT PARTICIPANT HAS ASKED ANY QUESTIONS NEEDED FOR PARTICIPANT TO UNDERSTAND THE TERMS, CONSEQUENCES, AND BINDING EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, INCLUDING THAT PARTICIPANT IS WAIVING PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. FINALLY, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY OF PARTICIPANT’S CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.
17. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan or future Restricted Stock Units that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.
18. No Waiver. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Award Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent that party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Award Agreement. The rights granted both parties herein are cumulative and shall not constitute a waiver of either party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.
19. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Award Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Participant under this Award Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.
20. Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock. If at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, qualification or rule compliance of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state, federal or non-U.S. law, the tax code and related regulations or under the rulings or regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body or the clearance, consent or approval of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the issuance of Shares to Participant (or his or her estate) hereunder, such issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, rule compliance, clearance, consent or approval will have been completed, effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. Subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the Company shall not be required to issue any certificate or certificates for Shares hereunder prior to the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the date of vesting of the Restricted Stock Units as the Administrator may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience.
21. Language. If Participant has received this Award Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
22. Interpretation. The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Award Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Restricted Stock Units have vested). All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. Neither the Administrator nor any person acting on behalf of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Award Agreement.
23. Captions. Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Award Agreement.
24. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan. By accepting this Award, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, and has received, read, and understood a description of the Plan. Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.
25. Modifications to the Award Agreement. This Award Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Award Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein. Modifications to this Award Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Award Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Award Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A in connection to this Award of Restricted Stock Units.
26. Governing Law; Severability. This Award Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of Delaware, except that the FAA shall govern the arbitration requirements set forth in Section 16. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Award Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
27. Entire Agreement. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Award Agreement (including the appendices and exhibits referenced herein) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.
EX-10.5
5
pali-ex10_5.htm
EX-10.5
EX-10.5
PALISADE BIO, INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Palisade Bio, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, which includes the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Notice of Grant”), Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant attached hereto as Exhibit A, and all appendices and exhibits attached thereto (all together, the “Award Agreement”). All terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan.
Participant:
Address:
The undersigned Participant has been granted the right to receive an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, as follows:
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Grant Number: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Schedule:
Subject to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan or set forth below, the Restricted Stock Units will vest in accordance with the following schedule:
[__________________________________________________________________]
In the event Participant ceases to be a Service Provider for any or no reason, then any unvested Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will thereupon be forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further rights thereunder. By Participant’s signature and the signature of the representative of Palisade Bio, Inc. (the “Company”) below, Participant and the Company agree that this Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, including the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A , all of which are part of this document. Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Award Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Award Agreement, and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and this Award Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the
Plan and the Award Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
By signing this Award Agreement, Participant is agreeing to arbitration of any disputes related to this Award Agreement and of any disputes related to Participant’s employment relationship with the Company, as provided in Section 16.
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PALISADE BIO, INC. |
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EXHIBIT A
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby grants to the individual (the “Participant”) named in the Notice of Grant under the Plan an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Award Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 19(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.
2. Company’s Obligation to Pay. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive a share of Common Stock on the date it vests (a “Share”). Unless and until the Restricted Stock Units will have vested in the manner set forth in Section 3 or 4, Participant will have no right to payment of any such Restricted Stock Units. Prior to actual payment of any vested Restricted Stock Units, such Restricted Stock Unit will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Award Agreement, until such time as the Company has sufficient shares of Common Stock reserved under the Plan to issue upon settlement of all outstanding equity-based grants under the Plan at that time, including the Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder, any Restricted Stock Units that vest hereunder may be settled, at the Company’s sole election, in shares of the Common Stock or in cash based on the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the applicable vesting date. Following the first occurrence of such time, settlement of Restricted Stock Units will be exclusively in shares of Common Stock. Other than the ability of a holder to receive cash in settlement of Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this section, in no event shall the Company be required to settle the Restricted Stock Units in cash.
3. Vesting Schedule. Except as provided in Section 4, and subject to Section 5, the Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Grant, subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
4. Payment after Vesting.
(a)
General Rule. Subject to Section 8, any Restricted Stock Units that vest will be paid to Participant (or in the event of Participant’s death, to his or her properly designated beneficiary or estate) in whole Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), such vested Restricted Stock Units shall be paid as soon as practicable after vesting, but in each such case within sixty (60) days following the Vesting Date. In no event will Participant be permitted, directly or indirectly, to specify the taxable year of payment of any Restricted Stock Units payable under this Award Agreement.
(i) Discretionary Acceleration. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Restricted Stock Units at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan. If so accelerated, such Restricted Stock Units will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator. If Participant is a U.S. taxpayer, the payment of Shares vesting pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall in all cases be paid at a time or in a manner that is exempt from, or complies with, Section 409A. The prior sentence may be superseded in a future agreement or amendment to this Award Agreement only by direct and specific reference to such sentence.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Award Agreement or any other agreement (whether entered into before, on or after the Date of Grant), if the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the Restricted Stock Units is accelerated in connection with Participant’s termination as a Service Provider (provided that such termination is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Company), other than due to Participant’s death, and if (x) Participant is a U.S. taxpayer and a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such termination as a Service Provider and (y) the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if paid to Participant on or within the six (6) month period following Participant’s termination as a Service Provider, then the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will not be made until the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Participant’s termination as a Service Provider, unless Participant dies following his or her termination as a Service Provider, in which case, the Restricted Stock Units will be paid in Shares to Participant’s estate as soon as practicable following his or her death.
(c) Section 409A. It is the intent of this Award Agreement that it and all payments and benefits to U.S. taxpayers hereunder be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the Restricted Stock Units provided under this Award Agreement or Shares and/or cash issuable thereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or so comply. Each payment payable under this Award Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). However, in no event will the Company reimburse Participant, or be otherwise responsible for, any taxes or costs that may be imposed on Participant as a result of Section 409A. For purposes of this Award Agreement, “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, and any final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time.
5. Forfeiture Upon Termination as a Service Provider. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Award Agreement, if Participant ceases to be a Service Provider for any or no reason, the then-unvested Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will thereupon be forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further rights thereunder.
6. Tax Consequences. Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisors the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement. With respect to such matters, Participant relies solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral. Participant understands that Participant (and not the Company) shall be responsible for Participant’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement.
7. Death of Participant. Any distribution or delivery to be made to Participant under this Award Agreement will, if Participant is then deceased, be made to Participant’s designated beneficiary, or if no beneficiary survives Participant, the administrator or executor of Participant’s estate. Any such transferee must furnish the Company with (a) written notice of his or her status as transferee, and (b) evidence satisfactory to the Company to establish the validity of the transfer and compliance with any laws or regulations pertaining to said transfer.
8. Tax Obligations.
(a) Responsibility for Taxes. Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) or Parent or Subsidiary to which Participant is providing services (together, the Company, Employer and/or Parent or Subsidiary to which the Participant is providing services, the “Service Recipient”), the ultimate liability for any tax and/or social insurance liability obligations and requirements in connection with the Restricted Stock Units, including, without limitation, (i) all federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) obligation) that are required to be withheld by the Company or the Employer or other payment of tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to Participant, (ii) the Participant’s and, to the extent required by the Company (or Service Recipient), the Company’s (or Service Recipient’s) fringe benefit tax liability, if any, associated with the grant, vesting, or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or sale of Shares, and (iii) any other Company (or Service Recipient) taxes the responsibility for which the Participant has, or has agreed to bear, with respect to the Restricted Stock Units (or settlement thereof or issuance of Shares thereunder) (collectively, the “Tax Obligations”), is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient. Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (A) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax Obligations in connection with any aspect of the Restricted Stock Units, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends or other distributions, and (B) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Restricted Stock Units to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax Obligations or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if Participant is subject to Tax Obligations in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax Obligations in more than one jurisdiction. If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any required Tax Obligations hereunder at the time of the applicable taxable event, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares.
(b) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may specify from time to time, the Company and/or Service Recipient shall withhold the amount required to be withheld for the payment of Tax Obligations. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit Participant to satisfy such Tax Obligations, in whole or in part (without limitation), if permissible by applicable local law, by (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Tax Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences), (iii) withholding the amount of such Tax Obligations from Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company and/or the Service Recipient, (iv) delivering to the Company already vested and owned Shares having a fair market value equal to such Tax Obligations, (v) selling a sufficient number of such Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant through such means as the Company may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Tax Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences) or (vi) any combination of the foregoing. Further, if Participant is subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Date of Grant and a date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (and/or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for tax in more than one jurisdiction. If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of such Tax Obligations hereunder at the time any applicable Restricted Stock Units otherwise are scheduled to vest pursuant to Sections 3 or 4, Participant will permanently forfeit such Restricted Stock Units and any right to receive Shares thereunder and such Restricted Stock Units will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company. Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to deliver the Shares if such Tax Obligations are not delivered at the time they are due.
9. Rights as Stockholder. Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book entry form) will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). After such issuance, recordation, and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.
10. No Guarantee of Continued Service. PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, WHICH UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW IS AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (OR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT) AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER. PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY (OR THE SERVICE RECIPIENT) TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, WHICH TERMINATION, UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, MAY BE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
11. Grant is Not Transferable. Except to the limited extent provided in Section 7, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby will not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and will not be subject to sale under execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this grant, or any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any execution, attachment or similar process, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby immediately will become null and void.
12. Nature of Grant. In accepting the grant, Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees that:
(a) the grant of the Restricted Stock Units is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of Restricted Stock Units, or benefits in lieu of Restricted Stock Units, even if Restricted Stock Units have been granted in the past;
(b) all decisions with respect to future Restricted Stock Units or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(c)
Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
(d) the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares and/or cash subject to the Restricted Stock Units are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
(f) the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown, indeterminable and cannot be predicted;
(e) the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares and/or cash subject to the Restricted Stock Units, and the income and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments; (g) for purposes of the Restricted Stock Units, Participant’s status as a Service Provider will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later to be found invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Award Agreement (including by reference in the Notice of Grant to other arrangements or contracts) or determined by the Administrator, Participant’s right to vest in the Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., Participant’s period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any, unless Participant is providing bona fide services during such time); the Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Restricted Stock Units grant (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence and consistent with local law);
(h) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the Restricted Stock Units and the benefits evidenced by this Award Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the Restricted Stock Units or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and
(i) the following provisions apply only if Participant is providing services outside the United States:
(i) the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares and/or cash subject to the Restricted Stock Units are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose;
(ii) Participant acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company, the Employer or any Parent or Subsidiary shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between Participant’s local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Restricted Stock Units or of any amounts due to Participant pursuant to the settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement; and
(iii) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units resulting from the termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider (for any reason whatsoever whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of the Restricted Stock Units to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary or the Service Recipient, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary and the Service Recipient from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.
13. No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.
14. Data Privacy. Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Award Agreement and any other Restricted Stock Unit grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Employer, or other Service Recipient the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.
Participant understands that the Company and the Service Recipient may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance/security number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Restricted Stock Units or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.
Participant understands that Data will be transferred to a stock plan service provider as may be selected by the Company in the future, which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan. Participant understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country. Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative. Participant authorizes the Company, any stock plan service provider selected by the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing his or her participation in the Plan. Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participant’s participation in the Plan. Participant understands that where provided by law, he or she may exercise rights related to the Data, including, for example the rights to request to view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, request necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative. Further, Participant understands that he or she is providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis. If Participant does not consent, or if Participant later seeks to revoke his or her consent, his or her status as a Service Provider and career with the Service Recipient will not be adversely affected; the only adverse consequence of refusing or withdrawing Participant’s consent is that the Company would not be able to grant Participant Restricted Stock Units or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards. Therefore, Participant understands that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of Participant’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.
15. Address for Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Award Agreement will be addressed to the Company at Palisade Bio, Inc., 7750 El Camino Real #5200, Carlsbad, CA 92009, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.
16. Arbitration and Equitable Relief.
(a) Arbitration. IN CONSIDERATION OF PARTICIPANT RECEIVING THIS AWARD AND PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY’S PROMISE TO ARBITRATE ALL EMPLOYMENT-RELATED DISPUTES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DISPUTES RELATING TO THIS AWARD) WITH PARTICIPANT, AND PARTICIPANT’S RECEIPT OF OTHER COMPENSATION AND OTHER COMPANY BENEFITS, AT PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES THAT PARTICIPANT MAY HAVE WITH THE COMPANY (INCLUDING ANY COMPANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE), ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM THIS AWARD OR PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION UNDER THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT (THE “FAA”). THE FAA’S SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL RULES SHALL GOVERN AND APPLY TO THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT WITH FULL FORCE AND EFFECT, AND ANY STATE COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION MAY STAY PROCEEDINGS PENDING ARBITRATION OR COMPEL ARBITRATION IN THE SAME MANNER AS A FEDERAL COURT UNDER THE FAA. PARTICIPANT FURTHER AGREES THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICIPANT MAY BRING ANY SUCH ARBITRATION PROCEEDING ONLY IN PARTICIPANTS’ INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF, REPRESENTATIVE OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE OR REPRESENTATIVE LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICPANT AGREES TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL COMMON LAW AND/OR STATUTORY CLAIMS UNDER LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS UNDER TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT, THE WORKER ADJUSTMENT AND RETRAINING NOTIFICATION ACT, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, CLAIMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT STATUS, COMPENSATION (CASH, EQUITY, BONUS, OR OTHERWISE), CLASSIFICATION AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, AND CLAIMS OF HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, WRONGFUL TERMINATION, AND BREACH OF CONTRACT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICIPANT ALSO AGREES TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INTERPRETATION OR APPLICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE, BUT NOT DISPUTES ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY, REVOCABILITY OR VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE OR THE CLASS, COLLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING WAIVER HEREIN. WITH RESPECT TO ALL SUCH CLAIMS AND DISPUTES THAT PARTICIPANT AGREES TO ARBITRATE, PARTICIPANT HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREES TO WAIVE, AND DOES WAIVE, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. PARTICIPANT FURTHER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ALSO APPLIES TO ANY DISPUTES THAT THE COMPANY MAY HAVE WITH PARTICIPANT. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT REQUIRES PARTICIPANT TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS THAT CANNOT BE ARBITRATED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, SUCH AS CLAIMS UNDER THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 16 ONLY, REFERENCES TO “COMPANY” SHALL MEAN PALISADE BIO, INC. (OR IT SUCCESSOR) AND ANY PARENT OR SUBSIDIARY OF PALISADE BIO, INC. (OR ITS SUCCESSOR).
(b) Procedure. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ANY ARBITRATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION PURSUANT TO ITS EMPLOYMENT ARBITRATION RULES & MEDIATION PROCEDURES (THE “AAA RULES”), WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT https://www.adr.org. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ANY MOTIONS BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY TO THE ARBITRATION, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND/OR ADJUDICATION, AND MOTIONS TO DISMISS AND DEMURRERS, APPLYING THE STANDARDS SET FORTH UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECISION ON THE MERITS. PARTICIPANT ALSO AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO AWARD ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY, WHERE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE DECREE OR AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR MAY BE ENTERED AS A FINAL AND BINDING JUDGMENT IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION THEREOF. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT THE COMPANY WILL PAY FOR ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OR HEARING FEES CHARGED BY THE ARBITRATOR OR AAA EXCEPT THAT PARTICIPANT SHALL PAY ANY FILING FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ANY ARBITRATION THAT PARTICIPANT INITIATES, BUT ONLY SO MUCH OF THE FILING FEES AS PARTICIPANT WOULD HAVE INSTEAD PAID HAD PARTICIPANT FILED A COMPLAINT IN A COURT OF LAW. PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ADMINISTER AND CONDUCT ANY ARBITRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAW, INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND THE CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE CODE, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL APPLY SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL CALIFORNIA LAW TO ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO RULES OF CONFLICT-OF-LAW.
(c) Remedy. EXCEPT FOR THE PURSUIT OF ANY REMEDY PROVIDED BY THIS AGREEMENT, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT ARBITRATION SHALL BE THE SOLE, EXCLUSIVE, AND FINAL REMEDY FOR ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY.
(d) Administrative Relief. PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT PROHIBIT PARTICIPANT FROM PURSUING AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIM WITH A LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE BODY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO ENFORCE OR ADMINISTER LAWS RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING, THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD. THIS AGREEMENT DOES, HOWEVER, PRECLUDE PARTICIPANT FROM PURSUING A COURT ACTION REGARDING ANY SUCH CLAIM, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.
(e) Voluntary Nature of Agreement. PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT PARTICIPANT IS EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT ANY DURESS OR UNDUE INFLUENCE BY THE COMPANY OR ANYONE ELSE. PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT PARTICIPANT HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT PARTICIPANT HAS ASKED ANY QUESTIONS NEEDED FOR PARTICIPANT TO UNDERSTAND THE TERMS, CONSEQUENCES, AND BINDING EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, INCLUDING THAT PARTICIPANT IS WAIVING PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. FINALLY, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY OF PARTICIPANT’S CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.
17. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan or future Restricted Stock Units that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.
18. No Waiver. Either party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Award Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent that party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Award Agreement. The rights granted both parties herein are cumulative and shall not constitute a waiver of either party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.
19. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Award Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Participant under this Award Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.
20. Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock. If at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, qualification or rule compliance of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state, federal or non-U.S. law, the tax code and related regulations or under the rulings or regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body or the clearance, consent or approval of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the issuance of Shares to Participant (or his or her estate) hereunder, such issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, rule compliance, clearance, consent or approval will have been completed, effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. Subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the Company shall not be required to issue any certificate or certificates for Shares hereunder prior to the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the date of vesting of the Restricted Stock Units as the Administrator may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience.
21. Language. If Participant has received this Award Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
22. Interpretation. The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Award Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Restricted Stock Units have vested). All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. Neither the Administrator nor any person acting on behalf of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Award Agreement.
23. Captions. Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Award Agreement.
24. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan. By accepting this Award, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, and has received, read, and understood a description of the Plan. Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.
25. Modifications to the Award Agreement. This Award Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Award Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein. Modifications to this Award Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Award Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Award Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A in connection to this Award of Restricted Stock Units.
26. Governing Law; Severability. This Award Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of Delaware, except that the FAA shall govern the arbitration requirements set forth in Section 16. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Award Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
27. Entire Agreement. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Award Agreement (including the appendices and exhibits referenced herein) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.
EX-31.1
6
pali-ex31_1.htm
EX-31.1
EX-31.1
Exhibit 31.1
SECTION 302
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, J.D. Finley, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Palisade Bio, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in exchange act rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 10, 2025
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By: |
/s/ J.D. Finley |
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J.D. Finley |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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Principal Executive Officer |
EX-31.2
7
pali-ex31_2.htm
EX-31.2
EX-31.2
Exhibit 31.2
SECTION 302
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, J.D. Finley, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Palisade Bio, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in exchange act rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 10, 2025
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By: |
/s/ J.D. Finley |
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J.D. Finley |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Principal Financial and Accounting Officer |
EX-32.1
8
pali-ex32_1.htm
EX-32.1
EX-32.1
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), J.D. Finley, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies that, to the best of his knowledge:
1.
The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2025, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Periodic Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and
2.
The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: November 10, 2025
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set their hand hereto as of the date indicated above.
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/s/ J.D. Finley |
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J.D. Finley |
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Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
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(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.”